Facilitating access to location-specific information using wireless devices

ABSTRACT

A host device (e.g., mobile device) and a wearable device can cooperate to provide location-specific information to a user. For example, a host device can maintain a store of location-specific information records. When the host device detects that its current location corresponds to a relevant location for one of the records, the host device can send the record (or a portion thereof) to a paired wearable device. The wearable device can present information content from the record to a human user and/or to a machine such as a scanner or wireless communication terminal.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority and is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/774,642, filed Sep. 10, 2015, entitled “Facilitating Access to Location-Specific Information Using Wireless Devices,” which is a U.S. National Phase under 35 U.S.C. 371 of PCT Application No. PCT/US2014/028216, filed Mar. 14, 2014, entitled “Facilitating Access to Location-Specific Information Using Wireless Devices,” which claims priority to and is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/US2013/032566, filed Mar. 15, 2013, entitled “Facilitating Access to Location-Specific Information Using Wireless Devices,” the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to wireless electronic devices and in particular to facilitating access to location-specific information using wireless devices.

Mobile electronic devices, such as mobile phones, smart phones, tablet computers, media players, and the like, have become quite popular. Many users carry a device almost everywhere they go and use their devices for a variety of purposes, including making and receiving phone calls, sending and receiving text messages and emails, navigation (e.g., using maps and/or a GPS receiver), purchasing items in stores (e.g., using contactless payment systems), and/or accessing the Internet (e.g., to look up information).

However, a user's mobile device is not always readily acccessible. For instance, when a mobile device receives a phone call, the device may be in a user's bag or pocket, and the user may be walking, driving, carrying something, or involved in other activity that makes it inconvenient or impossible for the user to reach into the bag or pocket to find the device.

SUMMARY

Certain embodiments of the present invention relate to wearable electronic devices that can be connected (e.g., via wireless pairing) with another device (referred to herein as a “host device”), such as a smart phone, other mobile phone, tablet computer, media player, laptop computer, or the like. When paired, the wearable device can provide access to various functionalities of the host device.

Certain embodiments of the present invention relate to wearable devices that, in cooperation with a mobile host device (e.g., a mobile phone, smart phone, tablet computer, or the like), can provide location-specific information to a user. For example, a host device can maintain a store of location-specific information records (also referred to herein as “location cards”). Each location-specific information record can include information that may be relevant to the user when the user is at a specific location. The information can include, e.g., a reminder to do a specific task, a special offer redeemable at a particular location, account information for a customer loyalty program associated with a particular merchant, account information related to a stored-value card that is usable at a particular location, an admission ticket or pass to an event, and so on. A location-specific information record can associate the information with a location or set of locations at which the information is deemed relevant.

When the host device detects that its current location corresponds to a relevant location for a location card, the host device can send the card (or a portion of the information contained in the card) to a wearable device that is currently paired with the host device. The wearable device can alert the user that the card is available and can present the information contained in the card. For example, if the information includes a reminder, the wearable device can present the text of the reminder to the user. As another example, if the information includes an account number or other identifier, the wearable device can present the identifier in a machine-readable format. Examples include displaying a one-dimensional or two-dimensional bar code, QR (quick response) code, or other code that represents the identifier and allows the number to be read by an optical scanner system; transmitting a representation of the identifier using near-field communication or other wireless communication channels to a suitably equipped terminal; and so on. Accordingly, the user can exploit location-specific information without having to interact directly with the host device (which can remain safely buried, e.g., in the user's pocket or bag).

In some embodiments, a wearable device can receive information content for a location-specific information record from the host device. The location-specific information record can include informational content that is associated with a relevant location. A variety of types of information content can be provided, such as a user-readable reminder message, an offer redeemable at the relevant location, an identifier of a user account that is usable at the relevant location, and/or authorization information that, when presented at a checkpoint at the relevant location, authorizes a user to be admitted to an event at the relevant location.

The wearable device can present at least some of the received information content at one of its interfaces. For example, a wearable device that has a display can display a user-readable representation of at least a portion of the information content, or it can display a machine-readable representation such as a bar code, QR code or the like. As another example, a wearable device that has a near-field communication NFC) interface can detect that an NFC terminal is in proximity to the wearable device and transmit an NFC signal representing at least a portion of the information content to the NFC terminal. In some embodiments, the wearable device can present content in stages. For example, the wearable device can generate a user alert (including, e.g., a displayed alert message, a sound, and/or a vibration) indicating that the information content has been received. If the wearable device receives user input responsive to the user alert, the device can selectively present information content based on the user input.

Subsequently, the wearable device can receive a location-change notification from the host device indicating that a current location of the host device no longer matches the relevant location. In response, the wearable device can cease presenting the information content and can also delete the information content from its local storage medium.

In some instances, the wearable device can concurrently manage information content for multiple location-specific information records. For example, while the wearable device is presenting information content of the first record, it can receive information content for a second location-specific information record from the host device. The wearable device can, among other options, provide an input control operable by the user to select whether to present information content for the first record or the second location-specific information record and can selectively present information in response to user operation of the input control.

In some embodiments, a host device can determine its current location, e.g., based on various signals such as signals received by GPS receiver and/or signals from wireless communication networks operating in the vicinity. The host device can access a store of location-specific information records, each of which can include an identifier of a relevant location and information content; records can be stored locally (in a storage medium physically present at the host device) and/or remotely (e.g., in a storage location accessible to the host device via a network). The host device can select one or more of the location-specific information records as relevant, e.g., based on matching the current location of the host device to the identifier of the relevant location of a particular record. If a wearable device that is capable of presenting information content of location-specific information records is currently in communication with the host device, the host device can transmit information content (and/or other data elements) of the selected location-specific information record(s) to the wearable device for presentation. In some instances, the host device can present some or all of the information content using its own interface, in addition to sending content to the wearable device. At any subsequent time, if the host device determines that its current location no longer matches the relevant location of the first location-specific information record, the host device can send a notification to that effect to the wearable device.

In some embodiments, the wearable device is considered to be in communication with the host device if the devices are paired (e.g., using Bluetooth) and actively communicating. Some embodiments can provide heightened restrictions, such as requiring that a verified communication session is in progress between the wearable device and the host device, where a verified communication session is established while the wearable device is being worn and terminates if the wearable device ceases to be worn.

In some embodiments, a relevant location can be defined with respect to time as well as space. For example, a location-specific information record can include a time window, and matching the current location of the host device to the identifier of the relevant location of a location-specific information record can include determining whether a current time at the host device is within the time window.

The following detailed description together with the accompanying drawings will provide a better understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a wearable device communicating wirelessly with a host device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram of a wearable device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a user operating a wearable device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a process for responding to an event notification according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates an interface for alerting a user according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates another interface for alerting a user according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a user interface for selecting a predefined message according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of a process for generating an event notification and receiving a response according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of a process for initiating a phone-call functionality of a host device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a function-selection user interface according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates a user interface for placing a call according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates a keypad user interface according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 illustrates a contacts user interface according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flow diagram of a process for placing a call using a wearable device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a flow diagram of a process for sending a text message using a wearable device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 illustrates a user interface for selecting a predefined message according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a flow diagram of a process for establishing a verified session according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a flow diagram of a process for responding to a confirmation request from a host device during a verified session according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a flow diagram of a process for establishing a verified session according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a flow diagram of a process for unlocking a host device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 shows a simplified state diagram for a host device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 shows a simplified state diagram for a wearable device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a flow diagram of a process for establishing a verified session and a user ID according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a flow diagram of a process for receiving and responding to request for a user ID assignment according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 illustrates an example of an interface screen for confirming a user ID assignment according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a simplified block diagram of a host device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 27 illustrates a data structure for location-specific information records according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a flow diagram of a process for providing location-specific information records to a wearable device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 29 is a flow diagram of a process that can be implemented in a wearable device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 30 is a flow diagram of another process that can be implemented in a wearable device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 31 shows an interface screen presenting location-specific reminder content according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 32 shows an interface screen presenting location-specific offer content according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 33 shows another interface screen presenting location-specific offer content according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 34 shows an interface screen presenting location-specific loyalty account content according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 35 shows an interface screen presenting location-specific ticket content according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 36 shows an interface screen for accessing location-specific information according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Certain embodiments of the present invention relate to wearable electronic devices that can be connected (e.g., via wireless pairing) with another device (referred to herein as a “host device”), such as a smart phone, other mobile phone, tablet computer, media player, laptop computer, or the like. When paired, the wearable device can provide access to various functionality of the host device.

In some embodiments, a wearable device can be operated by a user to respond to an event notification generated by a host device. The wearable device can receive a notification of the event from the host device and present the user with an alert and a prompt to respond. If the user responds to the prompt, the wearable device can transmit the response to the host device. For example, a user can respond to a phone call, text message, or other communication received at the host device.

In some embodiments, a wearable device can be operated by a user to initiate a functionality of a host device, independently of any prior event notification. For example, the wearable device can present a user interface via which the user can select a functionality to be invoked and further interfaces to control that functionality. Accordingly, a user can operate a wearable device to provide a phone number and instruct a host device to place a phone call to that number, or a user can operate a wearable device to send a text message to a specified recipient, or a user can operate a wearable device to control media playback and/or any other functionality available on a particular host device.

FIG. 1 shows a wearable device 100 communicating wirelessly with a host device 102 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, wearable device 100 is shown as a wristwatch-like device with a face portion 104 connected to straps 106 a, 106 b.

Face portion 104 can include, e.g., a touchscreen display 105 that can be appropriately sized depending on where on a user's person wearable device 100 is intended to be worn. A user can view information presented by wearable device 100 on touchscreen display 105 and provide input to wearable device 100 by touching touchscreen display 105. In some embodiments, touchscreen display 105 can occupy most or all of the front surface of face portion 104.

Straps 106 a, 106 b can be provided to allow device 100 to be removably worn by a user, e.g., around the user's wrist. In some embodiments, straps 106 a, 106 b can be made of any flexible material (e.g., fabrics, flexible plastics, leather, chains or flexibly interleaved plates or links made of metal or other rigid materials) and can be connected to face portion 104, e.g., by hinges. Alternatively, straps 106 a, 106 b can be made of a rigid material, with one or more hinges positioned at the junction of face 104 and proximal ends 112 a, 112 b of straps 106 a, 106 b and/or elsewhere along the lengths of straps 106 a, 106 b to allow a user to put on and take off wearable device 100. Different portions of straps 106 a, 106 b can be made of different materials; for instance, flexible or expandable sections can alternate with rigid sections. In some embodiments, one or both of straps 106 a, 106 b can include removable sections, allowing wearable device 100 to be resized to accommodate a particular user's wrist size. In some embodiments, straps 106 a, 106 b can be portions of a continuous strap member that runs behind or through face portion 104. Face portion 104 can be detachable from straps 106 a, 106 b; permanently attached to straps 106 a, 106 b; or integrally formed with straps 106 a, 106 b.

The distal ends of straps 106 a, 106 b opposite face portion 104 can provide complementary clasp members 108 a, 108 b that can be engaged with each other to secure the distal ends of straps 106 a, 106 b to each other, forming a closed loop. In this manner, device 100 can be secured to a user's person, e.g., around the user's wrist; clasp members 108 a, 108 b can be subsequently disengaged to facilitate removal of device 100 from the user's person. The design of clasp members 108 a, 108 b can be varied; in various embodiments, clasp members 108 a, 108 b can include buckles, magnetic clasps, mechanical clasps, snap closures, etc. In some embodiments, one or both of clasp members 108 a, 108 b can be movable along at least a portion of the length of corresponding strap 106 a, 106 b, allowing wearable device 100 to be resized to accommodate a particular user's wrist size.

Straps 106 a, 106 b can be two distinct segments, or they can be formed as a continuous band of an elastic material (including, e.g., elastic fabrics, expandable metal links, or a combination of elastic and inelastic sections), allowing wearable device 100 to be put on and taken off by stretching a band formed straps 106 a, 106 b. In such embodiments, clasp members 108 a, 108 b can be omitted.

Straps 106 a, 106 b and/or clasp members 108 a, 108 b can include sensors that allow wearable device 100 to determine whether it is being worn at any given time. Wearable device 100 can operate differently depending on whether it is currently being worn or not. For example, wearable device 100 can inactivate various user interface and/or RF interface components when it is not being worn. In addition, in some embodiments, wearable device 100 can notify host device 102 when a user puts on or takes off wearable device 100.

Host device 102 can be any device that communicates with wearable device 100. In FIG. 1, host device 102 is shown as a smart phone; however, other host devices can be substituted, such as a tablet computer, a media player, any type of mobile phone, a laptop or desktop computer, or the like. Other examples of host devices can include point-of-sale terminals, security systems, environmental control systems, and so on. Host device 102 can communicate wirelessly with wearable device 100, e.g., using protocols such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. In some embodiments, wearable device 100 can include an electrical connector 110 that can be used to provide a wired connection to host device 102 and/or to other devices, e.g., by using suitable cables. For example, connector 110 can be used to connect to a power supply to charge an onboard battery of wearable device 100.

In some embodiments, wearable device 100 and host device 102 can interoperate to enhance functionality available on host device 102. For example, wearable device 100 and host device 102 can establish a pairing using a wireless communication technology such as Bluetooth. While the devices are paired, host device 102 can send notifications of selected events (e.g., receiving a phone call, text message, or email message) to wearable device 100, and wearable device 100 can present corresponding alerts to the user. Wearable device 100 can also provide an input interface via which a user can respond to an alert (e.g., to answer a phone call or reply to a text message). In some embodiments, wearable device 100 can also provide a user interface that allows a user to initiate an action on host device 102, such as placing a phone call, sending a text message, or controlling media playback operations of host device 102. Techniques described herein can be adapted to allow a wide range of host device functions to be enhanced by providing an interface via wearable device 100.

It will be appreciated that wearable device 100 and host device 102 are illustrative and that variations and modifications are possible. For example, wearable device 100 can be implemented in any wearable article, including a watch, a bracelet, a necklace, a ring, a belt, a jacket, or the like. In some instances, wearable device 100 can be a clip-on device or pin-on device that has a clip or pin portion that attaches to the user's clothing. The interface portion (including, e.g., touchscreen display 105) can be attached to the clip or pin portion by a retractable cord, and a user can easily pull touchscreen display 105 into view for use without removing the clip or pin portion, then let go to return wearable device 100 to its resting location. Thus, a user can wear device 100 in any convenient location.

Wearable device 100 can be implemented using electronic components disposed within face portion 104, straps 106 a, 106 b, and/or clasp members 108 a, 108 b. FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram of a wearable device 200 (e.g., implementing wearable device 100) according to an embodiment of the present invention. Wearable device 200 can include processing subsystem 202, storage subsystem 204, user interface 206, RF interface 208, connector interface 210, power subsystem 212, environmental sensors 214, and strap sensors 216. Wearable device 200 can also include other components (not explicitly shown).

Storage subsystem 204 can be implemented, e.g., using magnetic storage media, flash memory, other semiconductor memory (e.g., DRAM, SRAM), or any other non-transitory storage medium, or a combination of media, and can include volatile and/or non-volatile media. In some embodiments, storage subsystem 204 can store media items such as audio files, video files, image or artwork files; information about a user's contacts (names, addresses, phone numbers, etc.); information about a user's scheduled appointments and events; notes; and/or other types of information, examples of which are described below.

In some embodiments, storage subsystem 204 can also store one or more application programs to be executed by processing subsystem 202 (e.g., video game programs, personal information management programs, media playback programs, interface programs associated with particular host devices and/or host device functionalities, etc.).

User interface 206 can include any combination of input and output devices. A user can operate input devices of user interface 206 to invoke the functionality of wearable device 200 and can view, hear, and/or otherwise experience output from wearable device 200 via output devices of user interface 206.

Examples of output devices include display 220, speakers 222, and haptic output generator 224. Display 220 can be implemented using compact display technologies, e.g., LCD (liquid crystal display), LED (light-emitting diode), OLED (organic light-emitting diode), or the like. In some embodiments, display 220 can incorporate a flexible display element or curved-glass display element, allowing wearable device 200 to conform to a desired shape. One or more speakers 222 can be provided using small-form-factor speaker technologies, including any technology capable of converting electronic signals into audible sound waves. In some embodiments, speakers 222 can be used to produce tones (e.g., beeping or ringing) and can but need not be capable of reproducing sounds such as speech or music with any particular degree of fidelity. Haptic output generator 224 can be, e.g., a device that converts electronic signals into vibrations; in some embodiments, the vibrations can be strong enough to be felt by a user wearing wearable device 200 but not so strong as to produce distinct sounds.

Examples of input devices include microphone 226, touch sensor 228, and camera 229. Microphone 226 can include any device that converts sound waves into electronic signals. In some embodiments, microphone 226 can be sufficiently sensitive to provide a representation of specific words spoken by a user; in other embodiments, microphone 226 can be usable to provide indications of general ambient sound levels without necessarily providing a high-quality electronic representation of specific sounds.

Touch sensor 228 can include, e.g., a capacitive sensor array with the ability to localize contacts to a particular point or region on the surface of the sensor and in some instances, the ability to distinguish multiple simultaneous contacts. In some embodiments, touch sensor 228 can be overlaid over display 220 to provide a touchscreen interface (e.g., touchscreen interface 105 of FIG. 1), and processing subsystem 202 can translate touch events (including taps and/or other gestures made with one or more contacts) into specific user inputs depending on what is currently displayed on display 220.

Camera 229 can include, e.g., a compact digital camera that includes an image sensor such as a CMOS sensor and optical components (e.g. lenses) arranged to focus an image onto the image sensor, along with control logic operable to use the imaging components to capture and store still and/or video images. Images can be stored, e.g., in storage subsystem 204 and/or transmitted by wearable device 200 to other devices for storage. Depending on implementation, the optical components can provide fixed focal distance or variable focal distance; in the latter case, autofocus can be provided. In some embodiments, camera 229 can be disposed along an edge of face member 104 of FIG. 1, e.g., the top edge, and oriented to allow a user to capture images of nearby objects in the environment such as a bar code or QR code. In other embodiments, camera 229 can be disposed on the front surface of face member 104, e.g., to capture images of the user. Zero, one, or more cameras can be provided, depending on implementation.

In some embodiments, user interface 206 can provide output to and/or receive input from an auxiliary device such as a headset. For example, audio jack 230 can connect via an audio cable (e.g., a standard 2.5-mm or 3.5-mm audio cable) to an auxiliary device. Audio jack 230 can include input and/or output paths. Accordingly, audio jack 230 can provide audio to the auxiliary device and/or receive audio from the auxiliary device. In some embodiments, a wireless connection interface can be used to communicate with an auxiliary device.

Processing subsystem 202 can be implemented as one or more integrated circuits, e.g., one or more single-core or multi-core microprocessors or microcontrollers, examples of which are known in the art. In operation, processing system 202 can control the operation of wearable device 200. In various embodiments, processing subsystem 202 can execute a variety of programs in response to program code and can maintain multiple concurrently executing programs or processes. At any given time, some or all of the program code to be executed can be resident in processing subsystem 202 and/or in storage media such as storage subsystem 204.

Through suitable programming, processing subsystem 202 can provide various functionality for wearable device 200. For example, in some embodiments, processing subsystem 202 can execute an operating system (OS) 232 and various applications for interfacing with a host device, such as a phone-interface application 234, a text-interface application 236, and/or a media interface application 238. In some embodiments, some or all of these application programs can interact with a host device, e.g., by generating messages to be sent to the host device and/or by receiving and interpreting messages from the host device. In some embodiments, some or all of the application programs can operate locally to wearable device 200. For example, if wearable device 200 has a local media library stored in storage subsystem 204, media interface application 238 can provide a user interface to select and play locally stored media items. Examples of interface applications are described below.

In some embodiments, processing subsystem 202 can also execute a host security process 260 that provides support for establishing and maintaining a verified communication session with a host device; examples of such processes are described below. A verified communication session can provide an enhanced level of security, and various operations of wearable device 200 and/or a host device can be made conditional on whether a verified communication session between the devices is in progress. For instance, host security process 260 can facilitate unlocking a host device when wearable device 200 is present, depending on whether a verified session is in progress. User data 262 can include any information specific to a user, such as identification information, user-specified settings and preferences, customized information (e.g., contacts, predefined text messages), and any other user-related data. In some embodiments, executing applications and processes can access user data 262 to facilitate operations; examples are described below.

In some embodiments, processing subsystem 202 can also execute a card handler process 264 that can receive and handle location-specific information records (also referred to herein as “location cards” or simply “cards”). As described below, a location-specific information record can include information whose relevance to the user depends at least in part on the user's location. Card handler process 264 can receive a location card, interpret the card to determine what information should be presented, and present the information on an interface of wearable device 200, e.g., user interface 206 and/or RF interface 208. Examples of operations that can be implemented in card handler process 264 are described below.

RF (radio frequency) interface 208 can allow wearable device 200 to communicate wirelessly with various host devices. RF interface 208 can include RF transceiver components such as an antenna and supporting circuitry to enable data communication over a wireless medium, e.g., using Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 family standards), Bluetooth® (a family of standards promulgated by Bluetooth SIG, Inc.), or other protocols for wireless data communication. RF interface 208 can be implemented using a combination of hardware (e.g., driver circuits, antennas, modulators/demodulators, encoders/decoders, and other analog and/or digital signal processing circuits) and software components. In some embodiments, RF interface 208 can provide near-field communication (“NFC”) capability, e.g., implementing the ISO/IEC 18092 standards or the like; NFC can support wireless data exchange between devices over a very short range (e.g., 20 centimeters or less). Multiple different wireless communication protocols and associated hardware can be incorporated into RF interface 208.

Connector interface 210 can allow wearable device 200 to communicate with various host devices via a wired communication path, e.g., using Universal Serial Bus (USB), universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter (UART), or other protocols for wired data communication. In some embodiments, connector interface 210 can provide a power port, allowing wearable device 200 to receive power, e.g., to charge an internal battery. For example, connector interface 210 can include a connector such as a mini-USB connector or a custom connector, as well as supporting circuitry. In some embodiments, the connector can be a custom connector that provides dedicated power and ground contacts, as well as digital data contacts that can be used to implement different communication technologies in parallel; for instance, two pins can be assigned as USB data pins (D+ and D−) and two other pins can be assigned as serial transmit/receive pins (e.g., implementing a UART interface). The assignment of pins to particular communication technologies can be hardwired or negotiated while the connection is being established. In some embodiments, the connector can also provide connections for audio and/or video signals, which may be transmitted to or from host device in analog and/or digital formats.

In some embodiments, connector interface 210 and/or RF interface 208 can be used to support synchronization operations in which data is transferred from a host device to wearable device 200 (or vice versa). For example, as described below, a user can customize certain information for wearable device 200 (e.g., a “favorite” contacts list and/or specific predefined text messages that can be sent). While user interface 206 can support data-entry operations, a user may find it more convenient to define customized information on a separate device (e.g., a tablet or smartphone) that has a larger interface (e.g., including a real or virtual alphanumeric keyboard), then transfer the customized information to wearable device 200 via a synchronization operation. Synchronization operations can also be used to load and/or update other types of data in storage subsystem 204, such as media items, application programs, and/or operating system programs. Synchronization operations can be performed in response to an explicit user request and/or automatically, e.g., when wireless device 200 resumes communication with a particular host device or in response to either device receiving an update to its copy of synchronized information.

Environmental sensors 214 can include various electronic, mechanical, electromechanical, optical, or other devices that provide information related to external conditions around wearable device 200. Sensors 214 in some embodiments can provide digital signals to processing subsystem 202, e.g., on a streaming basis or in response to polling by processing subsystem 202 as desired. Any type and combination of environmental sensors can be used; shown by way of example are accelerometer 242, a magnetometer 244, a gyroscope 246, and a GPS receiver 248.

Some environmental sensors can provide information about the location and/or motion of wearable device 200. For example, accelerometer 242 can sense acceleration (relative to freefall) along one or more axes, e.g., using piezoelectric or other components in conjunction with associated electronics to produce a signal. Magnetometer 244 can sense an ambient magnetic field (e.g., Earth's magnetic field) and generate a corresponding electrical signal, which can be interpreted as a compass direction. Gyroscopic sensor 246 can sense rotational motion in one or more directions, e.g., using one or more MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical systems) gyroscopes and related control and sensing circuitry. Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver 248 can determine location based on signals received from GPS satellites.

Other sensors can also be included in addition to or instead of these examples. For example, a sound sensor can incorporate microphone 226 together with associated circuitry and/or program code to determine, e.g., a decibel level of ambient sound. Temperature sensors, proximity sensors, ambient light sensors, or the like can also be included.

Strap sensors 216 can include various electronic, mechanical, electromechanical, optical, or other devices that provide information as to whether wearable device 200 is currently being worn. For instance, clasp sensor 250 can be at least partially disposed within either or both of clasp members 108 a, 108 b of FIG. 1 and can detect when clasp members 108 a, 108 b are engaged with each other or disengaged from each other. For example, engaging clasp members 108 a, 108 b to each other can complete an electrical circuit, allowing current to flow through clasp sensor 250; disengaging clasp members 108 a, 108 b from each other can break the circuit. As another example, one or more contact sensors 252 can be disposed in straps 106 a, 106 b and can detect contact with a user's skin, e.g., based on capacitive sensing, galvanic skin response, or the like. Contact sensors 252 can also include pressure sensors (e.g., piezoelectric devices) or the like. Any other type of sensor that indicates whether wearable device 200 is currently being worn can be used in addition to or instead of strap sensors 216. For instance, physiological or biometric sensors, such as pulse sensors, ECG sensors, or the like can be provided. In some embodiments, physiological or biometric sensors can be used in verifying the identity of the wearer of wearable device 200.

Power subsystem 212 can provide power and power management capabilities for wearable device 200. For example, power subsystem 212 can include a battery 240 (e.g., a rechargeable battery) and associated circuitry to distribute power from battery 240 to other components of wearable device 200 that require electrical power. In some embodiments, power subsystem 212 can also include circuitry operable to charge battery 240, e.g., when connector interface 210 is connected to a power source. In some embodiments, power subsystem 212 can include a “wireless” charger, such as an inductive charger, to charge battery 240 without relying on connector interface 210. In some embodiments, power subsystem 212 can also include other power sources, such as a solar cell, in addition to or instead of battery 240.

In some embodiments, power subsystem 212 can control power distribution to components within wearable device 200 to manage power consumption efficiently. For example, power subsystem 212 can automatically place device 200 into a “hibernation” state when strap sensors 216 indicate that device 200 is not being worn. The hibernation state can be designed to reduce power consumption; accordingly, user interface 206 (or components thereof), RF interface 208, connector interface 210, and/or environmental sensors 214 can be powered down (e.g., to a low-power state or turned off entirely), while strap sensors 216 are powered up (either continuously or at intervals) to detect when a user puts on wearable device 200. As another example, in some embodiments, while wearable device 200 is being worn, power subsystem 212 can turn display 220 and/or other components on or off depending on motion and/or orientation of wearable device 200 detected by environmental sensors 214. For instance, if wearable device 200 is designed to be worn on a user's wrist, power subsystem 212 can detect raising and rolling of a user's wrist, as is typically associated with looking at a wristwatch, based on information provided by accelerometer 242. In response to this detected motion, power subsystem 212 can automatically turn display 220 and/or touch sensor 228 on; similarly, power subsystem 212 can automatically turn display 220 and/or touch sensor 228 off in response to detecting that user's wrist has returned to a neutral position (e.g., hanging down).

Power subsystem 212 can also provide other power management capabilities, such as regulating power consumption of other components of wearable device 200 based on the source and amount of available power, monitoring stored power in battery 240, generating user alerts if the stored power drops below a minimum level, and so on.

In some embodiments, control functions of power subsystem 212 can be implemented using programmable or controllable circuits operating in response to control signals generated by processing subsystem 202 in response to program code executing thereon, or as a separate microprocessor or microcontroller.

It will be appreciated that wearable device 200 is illustrative and that variations and modifications are possible. For example, strap sensors 216 can be omitted, and wearable device 200 can include a user-operable control (e.g., a button or switch) that the user can operate to indicate when wearable device 200 is being worn. Controls can also be provided, e.g., to turn on or off display 220, mute or unmute sounds from speakers 222, etc. In some embodiments, other environmental sensors (e.g., accelerometer 242) can be used to determine whether wearable device 200 is being worn, in addition to or instead of strap sensors 216. Wearable device 200 can include any types and combination of sensors and in some instances can include multiple sensors of a given type.

In various embodiments, a user interface can include any combination of any or all of the components described above, as well as other components not expressly described. For example, in some embodiments, the user interface can include, e.g., just a touchscreen, or a touchscreen and a speaker, or a touchscreen and a haptic device. Where the wearable device has an RF interface, a connector interface can be omitted, and all communication between the wearable device and other devices can be conducted using wireless communication protocols. A wired power connection, e.g., for charging a battery of the wearable device, can be provided separately from any data connection.

Further, while the wearable device is described with reference to particular blocks, it is to be understood that these blocks are defined for convenience of description and are not intended to imply a particular physical arrangement of component parts. Further, the blocks need not correspond to physically distinct components. Blocks can be configured to perform various operations, e.g., by programming a processor or providing appropriate control circuitry, and various blocks might or might not be reconfigurable depending on how the initial configuration is obtained. Embodiments of the present invention can be realized in a variety of apparatus including electronic devices implemented using any combination of circuitry and software.

A host device such as host device 102 of FIG. 1 can be implemented as an electronic device using blocks similar to those described above (e.g., processors, storage media, user interface devices, data communication interfaces, etc.) and/or other blocks or components. Those skilled in the art will recognize that any electronic device capable of communicating with a particular wearable device can act as a host device with respect to that wearable device.

Communication between a host device and a wireless device can be implemented according to any communication protocol (or combination of protocols) that both devices are programmed or otherwise configured to use. In some instances, standard protocols such as Bluetooth protocols can be used. In some instances, a custom message format and syntax (including, e.g., a set of rules for interpreting particular bytes or sequences of bytes in a digital data transmission) can be defined, and messages can be transmitted using standard serial protocols such as a virtual serial port defined in certain Bluetooth standards. Embodiments of the invention are not limited to particular protocols, and those skilled in the art with access to the present teachings will recognize that numerous protocols can be used.

In some embodiments, wearable device 200 can detect a transition from an “idle” position to an “active” position. For example, FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a user 300 wearing wearable device 302, which in this example is a wrist-worn device. As shown in FIG. 3A, when user 300 is not actively using wearable device 302, the user's arm 304 may hang naturally at his side. To begin using wearable device 302, user 300 can rotate his arm to the position 304′ shown in FIG. 3B, raising the elbow to bring wearable device 302 into his line of sight. Dashed line 306 indicates an approximate motion path of wearable device 302. Motion sensors (e.g., accelerometer 242 and/or gyroscopic sensor 246) can detect a characteristic motion associated with bringing wearable device 302 into the user's line of sight; upon detecting this motion, wearable device 302 can automatically prepare itself to be used, e.g., by activating user interface components such as display 220 and/or touch sensor 228. Other patterns of motion can also be detected and can trigger activation of user interface components; for example, shaking of the wrist or a specific motion pattern of the arm or hand (e.g., moving in an “S” curve or circle or triangle). In some embodiments, wearable device 302 (or other wearable devices described herein) can have a button (e.g., on the side of face 104 in FIG. 1) that a user can toggle to turn on or off a touchscreen interface; the button can be provided in addition to or instead of motion-based detection of activation.

Referring again to FIG. 1, in some embodiments, host device 102 can send various event notifications to wearable device 100, and the user can respond to the notifications via wearable device 100. For example, host device 102 can alert wearable device 100 to incoming communications such as phone calls, text messages, voicemail messages, email messages, and the like; upcoming meetings or events; stock market events such as change in price of a particular stock; location-based reminders; and/or any other event that can be identified by host device 102. In some embodiments, the user may be able to select which types of events should generate notifications to wearable device 100, e.g., by interacting with a settings menu provided on host device 102.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a process 400 for responding to an event notification according to an embodiment of the present invention. Process 400 can be implemented in a wearable device, e.g., wearable device 100 of FIG. 1 or wearable device 200 of FIG. 2, which can be interacting with host device 102. In some embodiments, the implementation of process 400 can include program code executed by a processor of wearable device 100.

At block 402, wearable device 100 can pair with a host device, e.g., host device 102. For example, standard Bluetooth pairing techniques can be used; other techniques for establishing a wireless connection between two devices can be used. In some embodiments, an initial pairing between two devices may involve user interaction with one or both devices to confirm that the pairing should be established. Once the initial pairing is established, the two devices can automatically reconnect to each other (without further user intervention) any time they come within communication range and are operating their respective RF transceivers.

At block 404, wearable device 100 can receive an event notification from host device 102. For example, host device 102 can send a notification indicating an incoming phone call, text message, or email message. At block 406, wearable device 100 can present an alert to the user and can prompt the user for a response. The alert can include, e.g., an audible alert, a vibration, a visual alert, or any combination of multiple alerts. The prompt can include, e.g., a visual prompt on display 220, an audio prompt (e.g., a voice prompt), or the like.

FIG. 5 illustrates an alert-and-prompt screen 500 that can be displayed at block 406 when the event notification corresponds to an incoming phone call. Screen 500 can show an identifier of the caller 502; the identifier can be determined by host device 102 (e.g., based on a contacts list stored therein and/or caller identifying information received by host device 102) and sent to wearable device 100 as part of the event notification. Screen 500 can also prompt the user to respond to the call, e.g., by selecting virtual button 504 to instruct the phone to answer the call, virtual button 506 to instruct the phone to place the caller on hold, virtual button 508 to instruct the phone to divert the call to voicemail, and virtual button 510 to decline the call. Other alerts and prompts can be used, depending on the type of event, available response options, screen size of the wearable device, user preferences, and similar design considerations.

In some embodiments, a sequence of screens can be presented as part of prompting the user for a response. For example, FIG. 6 illustrates a prompt screen 600 that can be displayed at block 406 of process 400 when the event notification corresponds to an incoming text message. Screen 600 shows an identifier of the sender of the text 602; as with a phone caller, the identifier of a sender of a text can be determined by host device 102 (e.g., based on a contacts list stored therein and/or source identifying information received by host device 102). Screen 600 can also show a preview of the text message 604; in some embodiments, the user can scroll (e.g., by sliding a finger up or down on a touchscreen) to view more message content. Screen 600 can also prompt the user to respond to the text, e.g., by selecting virtual button 606 to reply to the text or virtual button 608 to exit from screen 600 without responding.

If the user selects virtual button 606, a message selection screen 700 as shown in FIG. 7 can be displayed, providing a menu of predefined text messages from which the user can select. For example, virtual button 702 can be selected to send a “yes” message, virtual button 704 can be selected to send a “no” message; virtual button 706 can be selected to send a “thanks” message; and virtual button 708 can be selected to send a “later” message indicating that the user will contact the sender later. It is to be understood that buttons 702, 704, 706, 708 may not contain the full text message to be sent but rather a short identifier. For example, the “no” identifier on button 704 can be associated with a less terse message such as “No, sorry,” and the “later” identifier on button 708 can be associated with a more specific message such as “I'll call you later.”

Referring again to FIG. 4, at block 408, wearable device 100 can receive a user input in response to the prompt. For example, the user can select virtual buttons via one or more of screens 500, 600, or 700, depending on context and what the user desires to do. At block 410, wearable device 100 can transmit a response message to the host based on the received user input.

It is not required that a user actually respond to any particular alert on wearable device 100. For example, in some embodiments process 400 can simply time out and end at block 408 if the user does not provide input within some fixed time period (e.g., 1 minute, 2 minutes, 5 minutes); the time period can be different for different types of events. As another example, a user can select the “close” option (button 608) from a screen such as screen 600, and this can be interpreted by wearable device 100 as an indication that the user does not intend to respond. In some instances, a user may instead choose to respond to an alert by using host device 102 directly; in such cases, host device 102 can notify wearable device 100 if a response is received directly at host device 102.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of a process 800 for generating an event notification and receiving a response according to an embodiment of the present invention. Process 800 can be implemented in a host device, e.g., host device 102 of FIG. 1, which can be interacting with a wearable device 100 that executes process 400 of FIG. 4 or similar processes. In some embodiments, the implementation of process 800 can include program code executed by a processor of host device 102.

At block 802, host device 102 can detect an event that triggers a user alert, such as an incoming call or text message. At block 804, host device 102 can determine whether a wearable device (e.g., wearable device 100) is currently paired. If not, then at block 806, host device 102 can wait for a user input at its local interface to determine whether and how the user chooses to respond.

If wearable device 100 is currently paired, then at block 808, host device 102 can send an event notification to wearable device 100. Any communication protocol can be used, including standard Bluetooth messages (e.g., incoming call alert), a message that conforms to a customized serial protocol that can be transmitted using Bluetooth's virtual serial port capability, or messages conforming to other protocols that are mutually understood by the host device and the wearable device. The notification can include information identifying the type of event (e.g., incoming phone call, text message received, stock market alert, etc.) and additional details specific to the event (e.g., name or other identifier of the caller, content of a text message, etc.).

At block 810, host device 102 can wait for a response, which can come from either the wearable device or a local user interface of host device 102. For example, a user may receive an alert of an incoming call on wearable device 100 but choose to answer the call using host device 102. Accordingly, host device 102 can monitor activity on the connection to wearable device 100 to detect a response and at the same time present a local interface (e.g., on its own touchscreen display) and monitor that interface to detect a response.

At block 812, host device 102 can process the received response, regardless of whether it was received from wearable device 100 or via a local user interface of host device 102. For example, referring to FIG. 5, if a user selects one of virtual buttons 504, 506, 508, 510 from screen 500 on wearable device 100, host device 102 can receive a response from wearable device 100 indicating which button was selected. In response to answer button 504 being selected, host device 102 can answer the call; call audio can be routed to wearable device 100 or to another audio input/output device, such as an internal audio interface of host device 102 or a wireless headset that is paired with or otherwise in communication with host device 102. In response to hold button 506 being selected, host device 102 can answer the call and play a message to the caller indicating that the caller should hold. The user can later take the call off hold, e.g., via a local user interface of host device 102 or via wearable device 100, allowing the user to speak with the caller. In response to voicemail button 508 being selected, host device 102 can redirect the call to a voicemail account associated with the user, allowing the caller to leave a message. In response to decline button 510 being selected, host device 102 can reject or terminate the call.

As another example, referring to FIG. 7, if a user selects to reply to a text message with a predefined response, e.g., by selecting one of buttons 702, 704, 706, 708 on screen 700, host device 102 can generate and send the corresponding text message back to the sender. In some embodiments, wearable device 100 may provide an index or other short name as an identifier for the text message. Host device 102 can maintain a lookup table or other data structure that maps the identifier to the actual message to be sent (e.g., a short-name identifier such as “later” or an index such as “3” can be mapped to “I'll call you later,” which is the message that would be sent). In some embodiments, a user can define a set of text messages to be included in the predefined list by interacting with host device 102, and host device 102 can provide short names and/or other identifiers for the user-defined messages to wearable device 100, e.g., in a synchronization operation.

It is not required that a user actually respond to a particular alert, either locally on host device 102 or via wearable device 100. In some instances, process 800 can allow the alert to time out after a specific period (e.g., 1 minute, 2 minutes, 5 minutes) if the user does not respond, in which case process 800 can end at block 806 or 810. For example, if an incoming call is not answered within the specified time period after generating the alert, host device 102 can take a default action such as diverting the call to a voicemail system. In some embodiments, if the user does not respond within the specified time period, host device 102 can discontinue the alert and/or replace the alert with an informational notice that is visible to the user (e.g., a missed-call notification or the like).

It will be appreciated that processes 400 and 800 are illustrative and that variations and modifications are possible. Steps described as sequential may be executed in parallel, order of steps may be varied, and steps may be modified, combined, added or omitted. For instance, in some embodiments, a host device can present a user alert via its own local interface in addition to sending a notification to a wearable device; in some embodiments, the host device presents a user alert via its own local user interface only when the wearable device is not paired; and in some embodiments, the user can specify whether the host should send a particular notification to the wearable device, present an alert locally, do both, or do neither. A user alert on a host device or a wearable device can take the form of any sensory input detectable by a human and can include visual alerts (e.g., lights; displayed text, icons and or images), audible alerts (e.g., tones, buzzes, ringtones, musical sounds, and/or speech sounds), and/or tactile alerts (e.g., a vibration).

The particular response options described above, e.g., with reference to FIGS. 5-7, are also illustrative, and the user may have other options for responding to a given alert. Further, while processes 400 and 800 have been described with reference to specific types of events (incoming call, incoming text message), it is to be understood that notifications of other types of events can be processed in the same manner. For any type of event, the user can have the option to select one of a set of responses (which may be limited) via the wearable device's user interface or to use the host device's local user interface to respond. In some instances, the host device's interface can offer a larger or different range of possible response options than the wearable device (e.g., composing an arbitrary message as opposed to selecting from a finite set of predefined messages).

In some embodiments, in addition to or instead of responding to an event on the host device, a user can use a wearable device to initiate a functionality of the host device, e.g., placing a phone call, sending a text message that is not in response to a received text message, or initiating any other functionality that is available on a particular host device. FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of a process 900 for initiating a phone-call functionality of a host device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Process 900 can be implemented in a wearable device, e.g., wearable device 100 of FIG. 1 or wearable device 200 of FIG. 2, which can be interacting with a host device 102 that provides a telephone transceiver capable of communicating over a phone network (e.g., a cellular telephony network, voice-over-IP system, or the like). In some embodiments, the implementation of process 900 can include program code executed by a processor of wearable device 100.

At block 902, a user can select an option to place a call using the user interface of wearable device 100. For example, referring to FIG. 10, a user interface of wearable device 100 can include a function selection screen 1000. Function selection screen 1000 can be a default screen that appears when the display of wearable device 100 is activated or it can be a different screen that the user can access through a touch gesture or sequence of gestures (e.g., to navigate through menus) on a touchscreen display, a hand or arm gesture detected by motion sensors built into wearable device 100, or other operations. Function selection screen 1000 can include various virtual buttons that the user can select to invoke a functionality of host device 102, such as “call” button 1002 to place a call, “text” button 1004 to send a text message, and “music” button 1006 to invoke a media player functionality of host device 102. In this example, a user can select an option to place a call by selecting button 1002.

Referring again to FIG. 9, at block 904, wearable device 100 can determine whether it is currently paired with a host device 102 that is capable of making phone calls. If not, wearable device 100 can alert the user at block 906. The user can take corrective action, such as getting within range of host device 102, turning host device 102 on, etc.

Assuming wearable device 100 is paired with a phone-capable host device 102, then at block 908, wearable device 100 can present the user with calling options, and at block 910, wearable device 100 can receive user input selecting a calling option. For example, when a user selects call button 1002 of FIG. 10, an interface such as screen 1100 of FIG. 11 may be displayed. FIG. 11 shows options for placing a call, such as an emergency call button 1102 that can be programmed to place a call to a phone number associated with an emergency service (such as 911 in the United States or 112 in many European countries), a keypad button 1104 to allow a user to dial a number, and a contacts button 1106 to allow a user to look up a contact.

If the user selects keypad button 1104, wearable device 100 can present a keypad interface, such as screen 1200 of FIG. 12. Screen 1200 includes a virtual phone keypad 1202 (e.g., a standard phone keypad with digits 0-9 and “star” and “pound” keys) and a number box 1204 to show the digits entered so far. In some embodiments, other controls can be provided (e.g., back, cancel, and done buttons); in some embodiments, gestures can be associated with various control functions such as erasing a digit, canceling the operation, or indicating that entry of the number is complete. A user can operate keypad interface screen 1200 to dial an arbitrary number.

If, from screen 1100 of FIG. 11, the user chooses contacts button 1106, wearable device 100 can present a selectable contacts list, such as screen 1300 of FIG. 13. Screen 1300 can present the names of some or all of a user's contacts, e.g., as virtual buttons 1302, 1304, 1306, 1308. If the number of contacts exceeds the available space on screen 1300, the list can be scrollable (e.g., using upward or downward gestures on a touchscreen) to allow the user to view and select from any number of contacts.

Wearable device 100 can maintain various amounts of contact information. For example, wearable device 100 can maintain a list of names of the user's contacts, which it can obtain, e.g., via synchronization operations with host device 102 or with other devices. Wearable device 100 can maintain just the name and/or other information about each contact (e.g., phone numbers, photos) as desired. In some embodiments, a user can designate a subset of her contacts to be synchronized with wearable device 100, and host device 102 can have a larger list of contacts than wearable device 100 as well as more information about each contact. Alternatively, wearable device 100 can obtain contact information from host device 102 in real time, e.g., with user-defined favorite contacts or most-recently-contacted contacts being presented first and various options to retrieve additional contacts. Accordingly, a user can operate wearable device 100 to select a contact to be called.

Referring again to FIG. 9, once the user input that determines a number to be called has been received (block 910), process 900 can send a call instruction to host device 102 at block 912 to instruct host device 102 to place the call. In some instances, e.g., where keypad screen 1200 was used, the call instruction can include a phone number. In some instances, e.g., where contacts screen 1300 was used to select the party to be called, the call instruction can include the selected contact's name (or other unique identifier), from which host device 102 can determine the phone number to be called, e.g., by looking up the information in a user's contact list. Host device 102 can place the call, and at block 914, wearable device 100 can receive confirmation that the call has been placed. This confirmation can indicate whether the call connected, or it can be sent before the call is actually connected.

At block 916, wearable device 100 can receive and send call-related audio signals, allowing the user to communicate with the caller. Call-related audio signals can include input audio signals (e.g., speech of the user picked up by a microphone and delivered to the host device for transmission via the phone network) and/or output audio signals (e.g., speech of the other caller received at the host device via the phone network and delivered to a speaker). In some instances, output and/or input audio signals can be sent to and/or received from a built-in speaker and/or microphone of wearable device 100. In other instances, wearable device 100 can send output audio to and/or receive input audio from external devices such as a wired or wireless headset. It is not required that all call-related audio signals, or indeed any call-related audio signals, be routed through wearable device 100. For example, host device 102 can route input (or output) audio to (or from) a device other than wearable device 100 while using wearable device 100 to route the output (or input) audio, and wearable device 100 can process the portion of audio for which it is in the routing path. In some instances, all call-related audio signals can be routed to and from devices other than wearable device 100, in which case wearable device 100 would not receive or send call-related audio signals but may simply wait until the call is completed. In some embodiments, wearable device 100 can make other functions available to the user while a call is in progress.

In some embodiments, while a call is in progress, wearable device 100 can display a control operable by the user to end the call. At block 918, if this control is operated, then at block 920, wearable device 100 can alert host device 102 that the call should be ended. Host device 102 can terminate the call and return a confirmation to wearable device 100 at block 922. Wearable device 100 can present an alert to the user at block 924 to confirm that the call has ended.

Host device 102 can also detect a call-termination event not originating from wearable device 100, e.g., if the other party disconnects or if the connection is dropped by the phone network. If this occurs, host device 102 can send an event notification to wearable device 100. Accordingly, if the user does not end the call at block 918, then at block 926, wearable device 100 can determine whether host device 102 has sent a call termination notification. If so, then wearable device 100 can alert the user at block 924. Otherwise, the call can continue (block 1408) until either the user terminates it or the host detects a termination event.

FIG. 14 is a flow diagram of a process 1400 for placing a call using a wearable device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Process 1400 can be implemented in a host device, e.g., host device 102 of FIG. 1, which can be interacting with a wearable device 100 that executes process 900 of FIG. 9 or similar processes, and host device 102 can provide a telephone transceiver capable of communicating over a phone network (e.g., a cellular telephony network, voice-over-IP system, or the like) In some embodiments, the implementation of process 1400 can include program code executed by a processor of host device 102.

At block 1402, host device 102 can receive a call instruction from a paired wearable device 100 that instructs host device 102 to place a phone call. The call instruction can include, e.g., a phone number to be called or an identifier of a contact. At block 1404, host device 102 can place the call. In some embodiments, placing the call can include using the contact identifier received at block 1402 to look up a corresponding phone number. At block 1406, host device 102 can send a confirmation that the call has been placed. The confirmation can be sent, e.g., while the call is still being connected.

At block 1408, host device 102 can route the call-related audio signals (including input and output audio signals as described above with reference to FIG. 9) to and from appropriate input and output devices. Audio input and output devices can include an internal microphone or speaker of host device 102 and/or an external microphone or speaker connected to host device 102 by wired or wireless connections, including in some instances wearable device 100. In some embodiments, host device 102 can determine the routing based on what other devices are currently connected to host device 102 and/or user-specified preferences regarding audio routing. Accordingly, call-related audio can be routed to wearable device 100 or to another device. In some instances, input and output audio can be routed differently; for example, host device 102 can receive input audio from wearable device while providing output audio to a different device.

At block 1410, host device 102 can determine whether wearable device 100 has sent a message indicating that the call should end. If so, then host device 102 can end the call at block 1412 and send confirmation to wearable device 100 at block 1414.

If, at block 1410, wearable device 100 has not indicated that the call should end, then at block 1416, host device 102 can determine whether it has received notification via the phone network that the call has ended (e.g., that the other endpoint has terminated the call or that the connection has been dropped). In addition, in some embodiments, a user who operated wearable device 100 to place a particular call can operate the user interface of host device 102 to end the call. If host device 102 detects any of these call-ending events, then host device 102 can notify wearable device 100 that the call has ended at block 1418. In some embodiments, the notification at block 1418 can include an indication of how the call ended (e.g., terminated by the other endpoint, dropped call, etc.).

If, at block 1416, host device 102 does not detect that the call has ended, then process 1400 can return to block 1408 to continue to route audio for the call. Accordingly, the call can continue until it is terminated by either party.

Similar processes can be used to send other types of communication, such as text messaging. For example, FIG. 15 is a flow diagram of a process 1500 for sending a text message using a wearable device, e.g., wearable device 100 of FIG. 1 or wearable device 200 of FIG. 2, which can be interacting with a host device 102 that provides a telecommunication interface capable of communicating text messages over a network (e.g., a cellular telephony network, cellular data network, the Internet, or the like) In some embodiments, the implementation of process 1500 can include program code executed by a processor of wearable device 100.

At block 1502, a user can select an option to send a text message, e.g., by selecting text button 1004 from interface screen 1000 of FIG. 10. At block 1504, wearable device 100 can determine whether it is currently paired with a host device 102 that is capable of making phone calls. If not, wearable device 100 can alert the user at block 1506. The user can take corrective action, such as getting within range of host device 102, turning host device 102 on, etc.

At block 1508, wearable device 100 can present the user with options for selecting a recipient, and at block 1510, wearable device 100 can receive the user's selection. In some instances, interface screens similar to those shown in FIGS. 11-13 can be used. For example, the user can send a text to an arbitrary phone number by entering the number into keypad 1202 of screen 1200, or the user can select a contact from screen 1300. In some embodiments, the same list of contacts can be used for both calls and text messages; in other embodiments, a user can define different lists of favorite contacts for different communication media.

At block 1512, wearable device 100 can present the user with options for texts to send, and at block 1514, wearable device 100 can receive the user's selection. For example, similarly to process 400 described above, a user can have a predefined list of texts to send, allowing the user to avoid entering the text character-by-character. FIG. 16 illustrates an interface screen 1600 for selecting a predefined text message that can be used at block 1512. The predefined text messages can be different depending on whether the user is initiating a new text message (as in process 1500) or responding to a received text message (as in process 400). For example, button 1602 can be associated with a text such as “I'm leaving now” and button 1604 with a text such as “I'm running late,” which are examples of text messages that a user might send to a person she is going to meet. Button 1606 can be associated with a text such as “Please call me,” which requests the recipient to take a particular action. Button 1608 can be associated with a text such as “Do you need anything from the grocery store?” which a user might send while on the way to the store. Other options can be provided in addition to or instead of these examples, and in some embodiments the user can define specific text messages and short identifiers in a manner similar to that described above with reference to FIG. 7.

In some embodiments, wearable device 100 can provide an option to enter an arbitrary text using alphanumeric or other character systems. For example, each character in a character system can be mapped to a different touch gesture, and a user can enter text by making touch gestures on touchscreen display 105. As another example, each character can be mapped to a different sequence of taps (e.g., Morse code or the like), and a user can enter text by tapping touchscreen display 105. As yet another example, touchscreen display 105 can present a compact virtual keypad in which a character is determined based on the key location and number of times the user taps the key.

At block 1516, wearable device 100 can instruct the host device to send the text message and can provide an identifier of the intended recipient (e.g., phone number or name) and an identifier of the text to be sent; the identifier can be, e.g., an index, a short identifier, or the actual text entered or selected by the user. As in process 900 described above, host device 102 can use the recipient identifier to determine the phone number, and as in processes 400 and 800 described above, host device 102 can use a short identifier of the text message to identify the actual message to be sent. In some embodiments, at block 1518, wearable device 100 can receive a confirmation from host device 102 that the text was sent and/or received; if desired, wearable device 100 can present a corresponding alert or informational message to the user.

It will be appreciated that the communication-initiation processes described above are illustrative and that variations and modifications are possible. Steps described as sequential may be executed in parallel, order of steps may be varied, and steps may be modified, combined, added or omitted. Messages can be sent using various communication media and formats, including text messages (sent, e.g., via a short messaging service (SMS) provided by a cellular communication network that carries voice and/or data); email messages, instant messages, social-network messages (any of which can be sent, e.g., via an Internet interface of the host device); and other types of messages.

In some embodiments, a user can define “quick-access” actions, such as “call Mom” or “text Bob that I'm running late” that can be executed with a reduced number of input actions (e.g., a single gesture to bring up a quick-access list, followed by tapping on the appropriate entry). This can facilitate communication by and with users who are in the midst of other activities and find it inconvenient to locate their phone to send a quick message or place a call.

Control over host device functions is not limited to communication functions. For example, in some embodiments, a host device 102 can have media player capabilities, allowing a user to select and play media tracks (e.g., audio and/or video), and wearable device 100 can provide remote control over media playback operations of a host device.

Referring again to FIG. 10, interface screen 1000 for wearable device 100 includes a button 1006 that can be selected to control media playback in a host device. In some embodiments, in response to user selection of button 1006, wearable device 100 can present an interface to select and control media player functions of host device 102. For example, wearable device 100 can display lists of playlists, albums, artists, genres, or songs from which the user can select tracks to play; once a track is playing, wearable device 100 can provide playback controls such as play, pause, skip to previous or next track, rewind, fast-forward, volume control and the like, and the user can control playback using touch gestures on the display device.

In addition or instead, control can be provided based on movement of wearable device 100 itself. For example, accelerometers, gyroscopes, or the like can be used to detect motion of wearable device 100, and certain motions can be defined as spatial gestures, which in turn can be interpreted as controls. Thus, in some embodiments, a user can control the volume, e.g., by circling her wrist or arm clockwise to increase and counterclockwise to lower. Other gestures can be associated with other actions, e.g., a quick up-and-down to play, a quick down-and-up to pause, quick right-then-left to skip ahead, quick left-then-right to skip back, etc. Different gestures can be associated with different control operations as desired.

It is to be understood that other devices can be controlled by a wearable device. For example, a wearable device can provide control over environmental systems (e.g., heating, lights) through an appropriate user interface.

In some embodiments, wearable device 100 (or wearable device 200) can facilitate access to a host device. For example, many users choose to “lock” various devices (e.g., mobile phones, tablet computers, desktop or laptop computers) to prevent unauthorized persons from operating the device. A host device that supports a lock feature can require a user to define a passcode (or other login credential(s) such as a username, secret gesture, or the like) upon activating the lock feature. The host device can thereafter require entry of the previously defined passcode (or supplying of other credential(s)) in order to unlock the device, e.g., when the device awakes from a sleep or screen-off or when a user attempts to operate the device while in its locked state. Some host devices can automatically enter the locked state after a period of inactivity (e.g., 1 minute or 5 minutes), or they can enter the locked state in response to a user input such as operating a button to turn off a display of the mobile device. Since some host devices (e.g., mobile phones) tend to be sporadically used throughout the day, users may find themselves entering their passcodes many times each day.

Some embodiments of the present invention can reduce the need for a user to repeatedly enter a passcode into a host device. For example, wearable device 100 can establish a “verified” session with host device 102. When a user enters a passcode (or other login credentials) into host device 102 while wearing wearable device 100 (e.g., while wearable device 100 is in close proximity to host device 102), host device 102 can alert wearable device 100 to a sign-in event. In response to the sign-in event, wearable device 100 and host device 102 can establish a verified communication session, which can include establishing a session key (e.g., a cryptographic key). Once established, the verified session can continue until either the user removes the wearable device or the devices stop communicating, for instance due to the devices moving out of communication range (e.g., more than roughly 10 meters apart in the case of Bluetooth). At any time during a verified session, the host device can become locked, and the verified session can continue with the host device locked. As long as the verified session continues, the user can unlock the host device, e.g., by bringing the wearable device into close proximity with the host device. This can allow the host device to bypass a passcode requirement (or a requirement for other credentials) and unlock itself based on the presence of the wearable device and the continuing verified session, without requiring the user to re-enter a passcode.

In some embodiments, host device 102 can provide user-identifying information to wearable device 100, e.g., based on the credentials that were used to establish a verified session between host device 102 and wearable device 100. Wearable device 100 can use the user-identifying information to perform various operations such as establishing a persistent user identity for its wearer, selecting user-specific messages to be displayed and/or sent, customizing interfaces for a particular user's preferences (e.g., color schemes, fonts, arrangement of menu options, etc.), and so on.

Examples of processes that can allow a wearable device to facilitate access to a host device will now be described. FIGS. 17 and 18 are flow diagrams of processes that can be executed by a wearable device, e.g., wearable device 100 of FIG. 1, communicating with a host device, e.g., host device 102 of FIG. 1. FIG. 17 illustrates a process 1700 for establishing a verified session according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 18 illustrates a process 1800 for responding to a confirmation request from a host device during a verified session according to an embodiment of the present invention. In some embodiments, the implementation of processes 1700 and 1800 can include program code executed by a processor of wearable device 100 (e.g., as part of host security program 260 of FIG. 2).

Referring to FIG. 17, process 1700 can begin at block 1702 when wearable device 100 detects a host device (e.g., host device 102) in close proximity. As used herein, “close proximity” refers to a state in which the devices are within a short enough range of each other to make it likely that the user wearing wearable device 100 is also operating host device 102. For example, if wearable device 100 is a wrist-worn device and host device 102 is a mobile device that would typically be operated while held in a user's hand, it is likely that a user wearing wearable device 100 and operating host device 102 would bring the two devices to within 30 or 60 centimeters of each other. Accordingly, some embodiments can define a threshold distance for close proximity, e.g., at 30 centimeters, 60 centimeters, 100 centimeters, or any other value between 30 and 100 centimeters. Other threshold distances can also be specified. Whether two devices are in close proximity can be determined by comparing the threshold distance to an estimated distance between the devices.

Wearable device 100 can estimate the distance between itself and host device 102 using various techniques. For example, some versions of Bluetooth protocols provide a relative signal strength indicator (“RSSI”) that allows a receiving device to compare the actual signal strength of a signal from a transmitting device to a nominal signal strength associated with the transmitting device at a nominal distance. Since signal strength decreases with increasing distance, the receiver (e.g., wearable device 100) can use the RSSI to estimate the distance to the transmitter (e.g., host device 102). Other wireless communication protocols can provide similar techniques, and other techniques can also be used. In some instances, either of host device 102 or wearable device 100 can perform the distance estimation and determine whether the other of wearable device 100 or host device 102 is in close proximity at any given time, and either device can communicate its determination to the other.

At block 1704, wearable device 100 can determine whether it is currently paired with close-proximity host device 102. In some embodiments, if the devices are not paired, then at block 1706, a pairing process can be invoked. As described above, in some embodiments, establishing an initial pairing may involve user interaction with one or both devices to confirm that the pairing should be established. Once the initial pairing is established, the two devices can automatically reconnect to each other (without further user intervention) any time they come within communication range and are operating their respective RF transceivers.

Assuming the devices are paired, at block 1708, wearable device 100 can receive a notification of a sign-in event from host device 102. A sign-in event can correspond to any occurrence detected by host device 102 that corresponds to the user unlocking host device 102. For example, host device 102 can notify wearable device 100 of a sign-in event when a user enters a correct passcode (or other credential) to unlock host device 102.

At block 1710, in response to receiving the notification, wearable device 100 can determine whether it is in a trusted state. As used herein, a “trusted” state refers to a state in which a sufficient likelihood exists that wearable device 100 is being worn by the same user who is operating host device 102, and in various embodiments, different criteria can be used to determine whether this sufficient likelihood exists. In some embodiments, for instance, wearable device 100 is determined to be in a trusted state if the two following conditions are met: (a) wearable device 100 is currently being worn; and (b) wearable device 100 is in close proximity (as defined above) to host device 102 at a time correlated with the sign-in event. Whether condition (a) is satisfied can be determined, for example, based on strap sensors 216 of FIG. 2 and/or other biometric or physiological sensors. Whether condition (b) is satisfied can be determined, for example, by checking the estimated distance at a time close in time (e.g., within a few microseconds) of receiving the sign-in notification at block 1708. In some embodiments, other conditions can also be applied in addition to or instead of conditions (a) and/or (b). For example, a user identifier (“user ID” or just “ID”) can be assigned to wearable device 100 (some techniques for assigning a user ID are described below), and the sign-in event notification can include a user ID of the user who signed into host device 100; accordingly, wearable device 102 can compare its assigned user ID with the received user ID and can require that the user IDs match as a further condition on being in a trusted state.

At block 1710, if wearable device 100 is not in a trusted state, then at block 1712, wearable device 100 can interoperate with host device 102 in an unverified session. Such operation can include initiating and/or receiving communications (e.g., as described above), controlling host device functionality via wearable device 100, and so on. In some embodiments, some functions of host device 102 may not be accessible to wearable device 100 while in an unverified session. For example, wearable device 100 may be usable to respond to a received communication (e.g., using processes 400 and 800 described above) but not to initiate a communication (e.g., using processes 900 and 1400 described above).

If, however, at block 1710, wearable device 100 is in a trusted state, then at block 1714, wearable device 100 can establish a session key and a verified session with host device 102. The session key can incorporate a shared secret (i.e., any information item that is known to wearable device 100 and host device 102 but not generally known or readily determined by other devices) and can be, e.g., a two-factor cryptographic key. Standard cryptographic key-agreement protocols or other protocols for establishing a shared secret can be used. The session key can be usable to encrypt messages sent between host device 102 and wearable device 100, either directly or by using the session key to generate message keys. Particular algorithms and cryptographic schemes can be selected, e.g., based on the level of security desired. In some embodiments, establishing the session key and verified session can include sending various communications between host device 102 and wearable device 100, e.g., to confirm that a verified session has been established at each side and/or to test the session key.

Once a session key is established at block 1714, wearable device 100 can operate in a verified session with host device 102. Referring to FIG. 18, process 1800 can be a continuation of process 1700 and illustrates certain aspects of wearable device operation in a verified session according to an embodiment of the present invention.

At block 1802, wearable device 100 can interoperate with host device 102 in a verified session. The verified session can be established, e.g., in accordance with process 1700. In some embodiments, wearable device 100 can access host device functionality in a verified session that is not accessible in an unverified session. For example, initiating a phone call, text message, or other communication (e.g., as described above) may be permitted only in a verified session. As another example, in some embodiments, host device 102 can bypass a sign-in procedure when transitioning from a locked state to an unlocked state if a verified session is in progress.

During a verified session, the session key can be (but need not be) used to encrypt communications between wearable device 100 and host device 102; some, all, or none of the communications can be encrypted. Encryption can be selective, e.g., based on the sensitivity of the data being communicated.

The verified session can last until a terminating event occurs. For example, the session can be terminated if communication with host device 102 is interrupted or lost. This can occur, for example, if host device 102 (or its RF antenna) is powered down, if the RF antenna of wearable device 100 is powered down, or if host device 102 moves out of range of communication with wearable device 100 (e.g., a distance beyond about 10 meters for Bluetooth). Accordingly, while the verified session is in progress, at block 1804, wearable device 100 can periodically determine whether host device 102 is still present. For example, wearable device 100 can listen for a “heartbeat” or other periodic signal indicating the continued presence of host device 102, or wearable device 100 can ping host device 102 and listen for a response. Communication of information (e.g., an event notification) from host device 102 that is received by wearable device 100 can also serve as confirmation that host device 102 is still present. If contact with host device 102 is lost, then at block 1806, wearable device 100 can end the verified session.

As another example, in some embodiments, a verified session can be ended if wearable device 100 ceases to be worn by the user (also referred to as being “taken off”). Accordingly, if host device 102 remains in communication at block 1804, then at block 1808 wearable device 100 can determine if the user has taken off wearable device 100. For example, strap sensors 216 of FIG. 2 or other biometric sensors of wearable device 100 can be configured to generate an interrupt or other notification to processing subsystem 202 in the event that a change occurs indicating that the user has removed wearable device 100. Examples can include clasp sensors 250 detecting that clasp members 108 a, 108 b have become disengaged; contact sensor 252 detecting a loss of pressure or galvanic skin response; or pulse sensors, skin temperature sensors, and/or other biometric sensors detecting cessation of biometric activity. Any combination of sensor signals can be used to detect wearable device 100 being taken off. If wearable device 100 is taken off, the verified session can end at block 1806.

Ending the verified session at block 1806 can include various actions, such as updating state information of wearable device 100 to indicate that it is not in a verified session, destroying or invalidating the session key, and/or sending a notification to host device 102 to report that wearable device 100 has ended the verified session. After ending the verified session, wearable device 100 can continue to communicate with host device 102 (in an unverified session), and a new verified session can subsequently be established (e.g., by performing process 1700 of FIG. 17).

Assuming no event that ends the verified session has occurred, the verified session can continue. From time to time, at block 1810, host device 102 can request a session confirmation from wearable device 100. For instance, as described below, user access to some features and/or functionalities of host device 102 may depend on whether a verified session has been established. Accordingly, when a user attempts to access such features or functionalities, host device 102 can confirm that the verified session is still in progress as a condition of permitting the attempted access. To obtain confirmation, host device 102 can send a session confirmation request to wearable device 100, and wearable device 100 can receive the request at block 1810.

At block 1812, in response to a request for session confirmation, wearable device 100 can generate and send a response. The response can be based at least in part on the session key. For example, host device 102 can send a request for session confirmation that includes a random nonce. Wearable device 100 can encrypt the random nonce based on the session key (or a message key derived from the session key) and include the encrypted random nonce in its response. As described below, host device 102 can use the encrypted random nonce and its own session key to validate the response.

In some embodiments, host device 102 can use the existence of a verified session as a security measure, which can supplement and/or substitute for other security measures provided by host device 102. For example, once a verified session has been established based on a user signing in to unlock host device 102, host device 102 can bypass a requirement for signing in during subsequent unlocking events. FIGS. 19 and 20 are flow diagrams of processes that can be executed by a host device, e.g., host device 102 of FIG. 1, communicating with a wearable device, e.g., wearable device 100 of FIG. 1. FIG. 19 illustrates a process 1900 for establishing a verified session according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 20 illustrates a process 2000 for unlocking a host device during a verified session according to an embodiment of the present invention. In some embodiments, the implementation of processes 1900 and 2000 can include program code executed by a processor of host device 102.

Referring to FIG. 19, process 1900 can begin at block 1902, where host device 102 can pair with wearable device 100. The pairing process can be similar to processes described above. At block 1904, host device 102 can detect a sign-in event. For example, a user may turn on a display or other interface of host device 102, which can trigger host device 102 to present a sign-in prompt, e.g., prompting the user to enter a passcode, and the user can respond to the prompt, e.g., by entering the passcode. A successful response by the user can generate a sign-in event, and at block 1906, host device 102 can enter an unlocked state.

At block 1908, host device 102 can determine whether wearable device 100 is in a trusted state. The determination can be based on criteria described above (or other criteria), and the criteria can be tested by host device 102 and/or wearable device 100. For example, host device 102 can determine whether wearable device 100 is in close proximity, e.g., using RSSI as described above. Host device 102 might not be able to determine directly whether wearable device 100 is being worn; in some embodiments, host device 102 can query wearable device 100 as to whether it is being worn, while in other embodiments, host device 102 can infer whether wearable device 100 is being worn based on subsequent responses from wearable device 100.

If wearable device 100 is determined to be in the trusted state, then at block 1910, host device 102 can send a notification of the sign-in event to wearable device 100. (This can be the notification received at block 1708 of process 1700 described above.) At block 1912, host device 102 can establish a session key and a verified session with wearable device 100. The session key can be identical or complementary to the session key established by wearable device 100 at block 1714 of process 1700, and the same cryptographic or other techniques can be implemented on both devices. In some embodiments, establishing the session key can include sending various communications between host device 102 and wearable device 100, e.g., to confirm that a verified session has been established at each side. In some embodiments, if wearable device 100 is not being worn or otherwise detects that criteria for being in a trusted state are not currently met, wearable device 100 can decline to establish the verified session.

At block 1914, host device 102 can interact with the user within the verified session. In some instances, interaction with the user can also include interaction with wearable device 100, e.g., to send or receive phone calls and/or other communications as described above. As noted above, in some embodiments, host device 102 can selectively allow the user to access certain functionality based on the verified session, and host device 102 can send session confirmation requests to wearable device 100 at any time. The session key can be (but need not be) used to encrypt communications that may occur between host device 102 and wearable device 100; some, all, or none of the communications can be encrypted. Encryption can be selective, e.g., based on the sensitivity of the data being communicated.

At block 1916, host device 102 can enter a locked state. For example, host device 102 can be programmed or otherwise configured to automatically enter the locked state after a specified period of inactivity (e.g., 1 minute, 2 minutes, 5 minutes, 30 minutes, etc.). As another example, a user may be able to place host device 102 into the locked state, e.g., by operating a lock control. In some embodiments, entering the locked state can include turning off a display device and/or powering down other components.

Entering the locked state at block 1916 does not necessarily terminate the verified session. For example, if host device 102 remains in communication with wearable device 100 and wearable device 100 continues to be worn, the verified session can continue. The continuance of the verified session after locking of host device 102 can facilitate further user operation of host device 102, e.g., by allowing the user to bypass the sign-on process when unlocking host device 102.

Referring to FIG. 20, process 2000, which can be a continuation of process 1900, illustrates certain aspects of host device operation in a verified session according to an embodiment of the present invention.

A locked host device 102 can detect a triggering event for an unlocking operation at block 2002. For example, a user may pick up host device 102 or press a button indicating a desire to resume use. At block 2004, host device 102 can determine whether wearable device 100 is currently in close proximity to host device 102. Close proximity can be determined using the same techniques and definitions described above. In the process as shown in FIG. 20, lack of close proximity at block 2004 does not end the verified session; however, in some embodiments, the verified session can end.

At block 2006, host device 102 can determine whether a verified session is currently established with wearable device 100 that is in close proximity. For example, host device 102 can determine whether it has a valid session key and/or state information indicating that a verified session is currently established. If not, then host device 102 can determine that a verified session is not currently established. As another example, if host device 102 is in a verified session state but communication with wearable device 100 has been interrupted or lost, host device 102 can determine that a verified session is not currently established. As yet another example, if wearable device 100 has sent a notification that a verified session has ended, host device 102 can determine that a verified session is not currently established.

If wearable device 100 is not in close proximity (at block 2004) or if a verified session is not currently established (at block 2006), then at block 2008, host device 102 can prompt the user to provide a passcode or other sign-in credentials. At block 2010, if the user provides valid credentials, host device 102 can enter the unlocked state at block 2012. If the user does not provide valid credentials, process 2000 can return to block 2008 to prompt the user to retry. In some embodiments, the number of retries can be limited to prevent device tampering, and process 2000 can exit if the user repeatedly fails to provide valid credentials at block 2010. (Other consequences, such as erasing data from host device 102, can also ensue.)

It should be noted that if wearable device 100 is in close proximity when the user enters valid credentials at block 2010, this can result in establishing a new verified session, e.g., in accordance with process 1900 described above.

If, at block 2006, a verified session is in progress, prompting the user for sign-in credentials can be bypassed. For example, at block 2014, host device 102 can request a session confirmation from wearable device 100. For example, host device 102 can send a request for session confirmation that includes a random nonce. At block 2016, host device 102 can receive a response from wearable device 100. For example, wearable device 100 can encrypt the random nonce based on the session key (or a message key derived from the session key) and include the encrypted random nonce in its response. At block 2018, host device 102 can determine whether the response is valid. For example, host device 102 can use the encrypted random nonce and its own session key to validate the response.

If the response is valid, then at block 2012, host device 102 can enter the unlocked state, without prompting the user for sign-in credentials. In some embodiments, host device 102 can provide an indication to the user that the normal sign-in process is being bypassed due to the presence of wearable device 100, e.g., by briefly displaying an icon representing wearable device 100 or by providing a substitute prompt, such as a prompt inviting the user to operate a touchscreen control to begin using host device 102 rather than prompting the user to enter a sign-in credential.

If, at block 2018, the response is not valid, then at block 2020, host device 102 can end the verified session. Ending the verified session at block 2020 can include various actions, e.g., updating state information of host device 102 to indicate that it is not in a verified session, destroying or invalidating the session key, and/or sending a notification to wearable device 100 to report that host device 102 has ended the verified session. After ending the verified session, host device 102 can continue to communicate with wearable device 100 (in an unverified session), and a new verified session can subsequently be established.

After ending the verified session at block 2020, host device 102 can prompt the user to provide sign-in credentials at block 2008. As noted above, in some instances, this can result in establishing a new verified session.

It will be appreciated that the verified-session processes described above are illustrative and that variations and modifications are possible. Steps described as sequential may be executed in parallel, order of steps may be varied, and steps may be modified, combined, added or omitted. For instance, ending a session can be driven by interrupts when session-ending conditions are detected by either device, and either device can send a notification to the other if a session-ending event occurs. In some embodiments, either device (or both devices) can also alert the user to the establishment and/or ending of a verified session.

Session confirmation requests from a host device can be sent at any time. If a wearable device receives a session confirmation request when a verified session is not in progress (either before any verified session has been established or after the most recent verified session has been terminated), the wearable device can return a response indicating that no verified session exists, and the host device can proceed accordingly.

In some embodiments, a wearable device can send context information along with a response to a session confirmation request. This context information can include any information the wearable device has that is indicative of user activity or otherwise suggestive of the user's likely intent in operating the host device at that particular time. The host device can use the context information in its interaction with the user, e.g., to present information and/or interfaces that correspond to a user intent inferred from the context information (and in some instances other information available to host device 102). For example, as described above with reference to FIGS. 4-8, wearable device 100 can receive a notification of an incoming text message and present an alert to the user. If, rather than responding via wearable device 100, the user picks up host device 102 and triggers an unlock event, host device 102 can obtain the context information—in this case that wearable device 100 presented an incoming-text alert to which the user has not responded—and can proceed accordingly, e.g., by unlocking and immediately launching a text messaging app, based on an inference that the user most likely wants to read and/or respond to the received text message. Other examples of context information can include alerts regarding missed calls, voice mail messages received, stock market alerts, and so on. In some embodiments, context information is sent only if host device 102 and wearable device 100 are in close proximity when the request for session confirmation is sent.

In some embodiments described above, bringing host device 102 and wearable device 100 into close proximity (e.g., within 30 or 60 centimeters of each other) is a prerequisite for establishing a verified session; however, once the verified session is established, continued close proximity is not required as long as the devices remain in communication with each other. This can allow a user to establish a verified session, then put down the host device and do other activities (e.g., moving around a room where the host device is present) without ending the verified session. In other embodiments, other proximity criteria can be used. For example, requiring continuous close proximity to maintain a verified session can provide a higher degree of security. As another example, establishing a verified session need not require close proximity. All distance and proximity criteria described herein can be modified as desired, and different proximity criteria can be established for different actions. For instance, proximity criteria for establishing a verified session and subsequently allowing bypass of a sign-in operation can be based on different threshold distances.

A verified session can last indefinitely, until a terminating event occurs. Terminating events can be defined as desired and are not limited to the examples described above. In some embodiments, a verified session can have a maximum duration (e.g., four, eight, twelve, or twenty-four hours) after which it automatically ends, and a new sign-in event can be required to establish a new verified session. Powering down wearable device 100, host device 102, or various components thereof can also terminate a verified session.

A further understanding of verified sessions can be had with reference to the state diagrams in FIGS. 21 and 22. FIG. 21 shows a simplified state diagram for a host device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The states and transitions shown relate to verified sessions and locking and unlocking the device. These states can occur, e.g., during the course of executing processes 1900 and 2000 described above.

For example, a host device, e.g., host device 102, can initially be in a locked/unverified state 2102. In this state, host device 102 is locked, and some or all functionality is not accessible without entry of user credentials. Further, “unverified” signifies that a verified session with a wearable device 100 is not currently established.

Host device 102 can transition from locked/unverified state 2102 to sign-in state 2104 in response to an unlock trigger event 2106. Various events can serve as unlock triggers. For example, if a display of host device 102 is turned off, user operation of a button or other control that turns on the display can be an unlock trigger. In some embodiments where host device 102 is equipped with motion sensors, certain motions of host device 102 (e.g., corresponding to a user picking up host device 102) can be interpreted as unlock triggers. Other examples include a device being plugged into or otherwise physically connected to host device 102, an increase in light level at a light sensor of host device 102, etc. In sign-in state 2104, host device 102 can prompt a user for sign-in credentials.

In response to successful sign-in (event 2106), host device 102 can transition to unlocked/unverified state 2108. In this state, host device 102 is unlocked and at least some of its functions are accessible to a user, but a verified session with a wearable device is not currently established. An idle/lock event 2110 can occur, e.g., if user activity ceases for a predefined time interval, or if the user actively locks host device 102. In response to idle/lock event 2110, host device 102 can transition back to locked/unverified state 2102.

If wearable device 100 is in a trusted state (e.g., based on close proximity and/or other criteria) when host device 102 enters unlocked/unverified state 2108, host device 102 and wearable device 100 can establish a verified session, e.g., as described above. Successfully establishing the verified session (event 2112) allows host device 102 to transition to unlocked/verified state 2114.

From unlocked/verified state 2114, an idle/lock event 2116 (which can be predicated on any of the same occurrences as event 2110) allows host device 102 to transition to locked/verified state 2118 rather than back to locked/unverified state 2102.

While host device 102 is in locked/verified state 2114, an unlock trigger event 2120 can occur. Any event that can serve as unlock trigger event 2106 can serve as unlock trigger event 2120. However, instead of transitioning to sign-in state 2104, a host device 102 that is in locked/verified state 2114 can transition to confirming state 2122. In this state, host device 102 can send a session confirmation request to wearable device 100 and receive a response, e.g., as described above. If the response is valid, confirmation success event 2124 allows host device 102 to transition back to unlocked/verified state 2114. If the response is not valid, confirmation fail event 2126 allows host device 102 to transition back to sign-in state 2104.

In some embodiments, a verified session can end while host device 102 is in locked/verified state 2118. For example, host device 102 can receive a notification from wearable device 100 that the session has ended (e.g., because the user has taken off wearable device 100), contact with wearable device 100 can be lost (e.g., due to wearable device 100 moving out of communication range), or host device 102 can determine that the verified session has expired (e.g., based on a predefined limit on session duration as described above). When a verified session ends while host device 102 is in locked/verified state 2118, session end event 2128 can cause a transition to locked/unverified state 2102.

Turning to the wearable device, FIG. 22 shows a simplified state diagram for a wearable device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The states and transitions shown relate to verified sessions between a wearable device and a host device.

These states can occur, e.g., during the course of executing processes 1700 and 1800 described above.

For example, a wearable device, e.g., wearable device 100, can initially be in unworn/unconnected state 2202. In this state, wearable device 100 is not being worn by a user (e.g., as determined from strap sensors 216 of FIG. 2 or other biometric sensors) and is also not connected to (e.g., paired and/or communicating with) any host device.

From unworn/unconnected state 2202, wearable device 100 can transition to either worn/unconnected state 2204 or unworn/connected state 2206. Transition to worn/unconnected state 2204 can occur if wearable device 100 detects that the user has put it on (event 2208), and transition to unworn/connected state 2206 can occur if wearable device 100 establishes communication (e.g., initial pairing or re-establishing a previous pairing) with a host device, e.g., host device 102 (event 2210). These transitions can reversible. As shown, a take-off event 2212 (which can include, e.g., sensor signals indicating the user has removed wearable device 100) can return wearable device 100 from worn/unconnected state 2204 to unworn/unconnected state 2202, and host-disconnect event 2214 (which can include, e.g., host device 102 moving out of range) can return wearable device 100 from unworn/connected state 2206 to unworn/unconnected state 2202

Alternatively, a wearable device that is worn but unconnected (state 2204) can become connected to a host in host connection event 2216 (which can be any of the same events as event 2210), and a wearable device that is connected but unworn (state 2206) can become worn in response to a put-on event 2218 (which can be any of the same events as event 2208). These transitions can also be reversible via events 2217 and 2219. Thus, there are multiple paths by which wearable device 100 can reach a worn/connected state 2220, in which wearable device 100 is both being worn by a user and in communication with a host device. In some embodiments, a put-on event can occur simultaneously with a host-connect event, and a direct transition (not shown) from state 2202 to 2204 can occur; this transition can also be reversible.

When wearable device 100 is in worn/connected state 2220, it can determine whether it is in close proximity to the host device (e.g., host device 102) with which it is in communication. Detection of close proximity (event 222) can allow wearable device 100 to transition to trusted state 2224. This can be, e.g., the trusted state described above with reference to FIGS. 17-20. While in trusted state 2224, wearable device 100 can detect a session start event 2226, e.g., establishing a session key as described above, and can transition to verified state 2228. In verified state 2226, wearable device 100 can receive and respond to requests for session confirmation from host device 102. Once in verified state 2228, wearable device 100 can remain there indefinitely, irrespective of state transitions that may be occurring in host device 102, such as transitions between unlocked/verified state 2114 and locked/verified state 2116 shown in FIG. 21.

In some embodiments, wearable device 100 can leave verified state 2228 in response to a take-off event 2230 (which can be any of the same events as event 2212) or to a host-disconnect event 2232 (which can be any of the same events as event 2214). Take-off event 2230 can lead to a transition to unworn/connected state 2206, and host-disconnect event 2232 can lead to a transition to worn/unconnected state 2204. In some embodiments, a take-off event can occur simultaneously with a host-disconnect event, and a direct transition from state 2228 to 2202 can occur.

Other events (not shown) can also cause wearable device 100 to exit verified state 2228 and return to a different state. For example, powering down wearable device 100 (or just powering down a communications interface) can cause a transition. As described above, in some embodiments, a verified session can expire after a predefined maximum duration, and expiration of the verified session can cause a transition from verified state 2228 to another state, e.g., worn/connected state 2220 (if wearable device 100 and host 102 remain in communication) or trusted state 2224 (if wearable device 100 and host 102 are in communication and in close proximity when the verified session expires).

It will be appreciated that the state diagrams of FIGS. 21 and 22 are illustrative and that variations and modifications are possible. For instance, the diagrams are not intended to illustrate all possible states or transitions between states, and a particular implementation can involve more states, fewer states, or a different combination of states from those shown. It is to be understood that operations of various kinds can occur within a device or between the devices without causing a state transition between states that are shown. For example, host device 102 can receive a phone call and the user can interact with wearable device 100 to respond to the call without either device changing between the states shown, although those skilled in the art will recognize that other aspects of device state may change.

As described above, a wearable device such as wearable device 100 can determine whether it is being worn and can detect being put on or taken off, e.g., by using various sensors. In some embodiments, a wearable device can also become assigned to a specific user (or user identifier). Being assigned to a specific user can allow the wearable device to customize itself according to the user's preferences. Further, in some embodiments, matching a user ID assigned to a wearable device with a user ID assigned to a host device can further improve security of a verified session.

A user ID can be assigned to a wearable device in various ways. For example, in some embodiments, a user can push a user ID from a host device to a wearable device during a synchronization operation (examples of which are described above). Along with the user ID, the user can push a user profile that can define various preferences (e.g., color schemes or other esthetic preferences, predefined messages that can be sent as described above, options such as when to generate alerts and what type of alert to generate, etc.). In some embodiments, a synchronization operation that pushes a user ID may be restricted to occurring only when a verified session has been established between the wearable device and the host device. The user may also be able to set a passcode (or some other access credential) on the wearable device that prevents changes to the user ID or profile from being made by a host device unless the user confirms by entering the passcode via an interface of the wearable device. It is contemplated that a wearable device can but need not require a passcode for operation, and the wearable device can be selective as to which operations require a passcode. Thus, in some embodiments, a wearable-device passcode can be required only for certain operations designated as sensitive, such as changing a user ID or user profile. (In other embodiments, a wearable-device passcode can be required for any operation, and in still other embodiments, a wearable-device passcode can be omitted entirely.)

In some embodiments, establishing a verified session between a host device and a wearable device can facilitate establishing a user ID for the wearable device. FIG. 23 is a flow diagram of a process 2300 for establishing a verified session and a user ID according to an embodiment of the present invention. Process 2300 can be executed by a wearable device, e.g., wearable device 100 of FIG. 1, communicating with a host device, e.g., host device 102 of FIG. 1. In some embodiments, the implementation of process 2300 can include program code executed by a processor of wearable device 100 (e.g., as part of host security program 260 of FIG. 2), and in some embodiments, process 2300 can be implemented as an extension of processes 1700 and 1800 described above; for instance, node A in FIG. 17 can correspond to node A in FIG. 23.

Process 2300 can begin after a verified session has been established (e.g., at block 1714 of process 1700). At block 2302, wearable device 100 can determine whether it already has an assigned user ID. If so, wearable device 100 can keep its assigned user ID and interoperate with host device 102 in a verified session at block 2304, which can correspond to block 1802 of process 1800; from this point, process 1800 can continue as described above.

If, at block 2302, wearable device 100 does not have an assigned user ID, then at block 2306, wearable device 100 can request a user ID from host device 102. At block 2308, wearable device 100 can receive a user ID from host device 102. As described below, in some embodiments host device 102 can confirm with the user that the ID should be sent before responding to the request. Host device 102 can send the user ID, e.g., in a message encrypted using the session key (or a message key derived from the session key). At block 2310, wearable device 100 can establish the received user ID as its assigned user ID. This can be done without user intervention; alternatively, wearable device 100 can prompt the user to confirm that the user ID should be assigned. In some embodiments, wearable device 100 can use the newly assigned user ID to retrieve a user profile (e.g., from locally stored user data 262 of FIG. 2 or by further requests to host device 102) and can apply various customizations and settings based on the retrieved profile.

Once a user ID is assigned, wearable device 100 can interoperate with host device 102 in a verified session at block 2304. In some embodiments, host device 102 can have the option to refuse to send a user ID, in which case, block 310 can be skipped.

As noted above, a host device can receive and respond to a wearable device's request for a user ID to be assigned. FIG. 24 is a flow diagram of a process 2400 that can be executed by a host device, e.g., host device 102 of FIG. 1, communicating with a wearable device, e.g., wearable device 100 of FIG. 1. In some embodiments, the implementation of process 2400 can include program code executed by a processor of host device 102; process 2400 can be implemented, for example, as an extension to process 1900 of FIG. 19.

At block 2402, host device 102 can establish a verified session with wearable device 100. For example, host device 102 can execute some or all of blocks 1900-1912 of process 1900. At block 2404, host device 102 can receive a request from wearable device 100 for a user ID to be assigned to wearable device 100.

At block 2406, before responding to wearable device 100, host device 102 can confirm that the verified session is still in progress. Confirmation can include, e.g., sending a session confirmation request to wearable device 100 as described above and/or verifying that no interruption in communication with wearable device 100 has occurred. Host device 102 can also implement additional conditions on its response, such as verifying that wearable device 100 is in close proximity before responding to the request. In some embodiments, if the request at block 2404 is received within a predefined interval (e.g., 100 microseconds) of establishing the verified session, host device 102 can treat the session as confirmed. As another example, host device 102 can require that any request to assign a user ID be received within a predefined time interval (e.g., 100 microseconds or 5 seconds) of establishing a verified session and can refuse any request that arrives outside this interval regardless of the current status of the session.

If the decision at block 2406 is negative, then host device 102 can ignore the request and continue to interact with the user at block 2408 (e.g., similarly to block 1914 of FIG. 19). Where a verified session is not in progress, host device 102 can also interoperate with wearable device 100 in an unverified state as described above. In some embodiments, instead of simply ignoring the message, host device 102 can return a refusal message that can indicate that a user ID will not be provided; the refusal message can also include a status code indicating the basis for the refusal.

If, at block 2406, the decision is positive, then at block 2410, host device 102 can prompt the user to confirm that the user ID should be sent to the wearable device. Host device 102 can select a user ID to send, e.g., based on the user ID that is currently signed in to or otherwise associated with host device 102. For example, a host device that is a mobile phone may have a single user ID associated with it and can select that user ID. A host device that is a desktop computer may have multiple user IDs associated with it (e.g., for different family members) and can select the ID based on which user is currently logged in. The user ID can be an ID associated with the user's account on the host device itself or an ID associated with the user's account on a different service such as a cloud-based information storage and retrieval system.

The user confirmation can be a simple yes/no option, or additional options such as selecting a different user ID or defining a new user ID can be presented. In some embodiments where the user ID that the host device proposes to send is associated with a password, passcode, or other identification credential, the host device can prompt the user to provide that credential as part of the confirmation.

FIG. 25 illustrates an example of a confirmation interface screen 2500 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Interface screen 2500 can present a description 2502 of the proposed transaction (sending a specific user ID to a specific wearable device), a confirmation button 2504, and a cancel button 2506. In some embodiments, screen 2500 can also include a password entry section 2508, and the user can be required to enter a password associated with the user ID specified in description 2502 to provide further confirmation that the user of host device 102 is authorized to use the ID that is to be sent. Other screens can also be used.

Referring again to FIG. 24, host device 102 can receive the user's confirmation decision at block 2412. If the user confirms, then at block 2414, host device 102 can send the selected user ID to wearable device 100. The ID can be sent, e.g., in a message encrypted using the session key of the verified session (or a message key based on the session key). If the user does not confirm at block 2412, then at block 2416, host device 102 can send a refusal message to wearable device 100 indicating that a user ID is not being provided. In either case, host device 102 can continue interacting with the user at block 2408. Where a verified session is not in progress, host device 102 can also interoperate with wearable device 100 in an unverified state as described above.

It will be appreciated that the processes for assigning a user ID described above are illustrative and that variations and modifications are possible. Steps described as sequential may be executed in parallel, order of steps may be varied, and steps may be modified, combined, added or omitted. Assignment of a user ID by a host device in response to a request from a wearable device can be subject to a variety of conditions, including but not limited to those described above (verified session, close proximity, time-based constraints, etc.). The amount and kind of user interaction can also be varied. For example, in some embodiments, assignment of a user ID can be accomplished without user intervention; in some embodiments, a wearable device may request a user ID in response to an input from the user (e.g., the wearable device may prompt the user to indicate whether the wearable device should attempt to obtain an ID when it connects to a host device). In some embodiments, user interactions with both the host device and the wearable device can be required, e.g., in order to further increase the difficulty of spoofing a legitimate request.

In some embodiments, wearable device 100 can incorporate its assigned user ID into responses to session confirmation messages. This can provide an additional confirmation to host device 102 that the user is present. For example, if wearable device 100 has a user ID that host device 102 is not expecting, host device 102 can go into locked state or take other actions to prevent unauthorized use.

In some embodiments, a user ID assigned to wearable device 100 can be a persistent property; for example, wearable device 100 can maintain its user ID even after termination of the verified session in which the ID was assigned. If desired, the assignment can be permanent, e.g., retained until a hard reset of wearable device 100 (e.g., restoring factory settings). In other embodiments, a user interface can be provided on wearable device 100 and/or a host device that allows a user to change or clear the assigned user ID, or the assigned user ID can be automatically cleared in response to events such as the user taking off wearable device 100. An assigned ID that has been cleared can be re-established, e.g., by executing processes 2300 and 2400 again.

It is to be understood that clearing an assigned user ID signifies only that the wearable device no longer has a current assigned user ID. For example, the wearable device can continue to store user profile information for that user ID even after it ceases to be the currently assigned ID, although it may discontinue using the user profile information as input to operations. Thus, for example, a particular user's contacts, customized text responses, or the like may only be accessible while the wearable device has that user's ID as its assigned ID; at other times they can be stored on the wearable device but not accessible to the user.

Embodiments described above can facilitate user interaction with a host device, e.g., by allowing the host device to bypass a sign-in process when a verified wearable device is present. This can reduce the user's need to repeatedly enter a passcode or other sign-in credential into the same host device. Operation of a wearable device can also be facilitated, e.g., by allowing the user to establish an identity on the wearable device via a host device and to transfer or synchronize personal settings between the host device and the wearable device.

In some embodiments, defining a pairing (e.g., via Bluetooth pairing or another process) between the host device and the wearable device can be a prerequisite of establishing a verified session. Defining a pairing can refer to any process by which a user indicates to two devices that they should recognize and communicate with each other. In some instances, a pairing can be defined by executing a device discovery process on one device (e.g., the host device) that allows the host device to obtain information about any other wireless devices that happen to be within communication range. The host device can present a list of discovered devices, and the user can select the wearable device as the device to be paired. The host device and wearable device can exchange various information to define the pairing (e.g., device names, MAC addresses or other unique identifiers, security codes, and any other information that may be used to establish an operating communication link between the devices). Once the pairing is defined, the host device and wearable device can automatically re-establish communication whenever each device detects the other within its communication range. Where verified sessions are limited to devices that have a pairing defined, inadvertent creation of verified sessions of one user's host device with another user's wearable device can become less likely. As noted above, in some embodiments, when a host device and a wearable device detect are in proximity but not paired, a pairing process can be invoked, and this can include prompting the user to indicate whether the pairing should be defined or not.

In some embodiments, a user or administrator of a particular host device may have the option to disable bypassing of the sign-in procedure or to select conditions under which bypassing should be allowed. For example, the user or administrator can set distance thresholds for determining close proximity, limits on how far out of close proximity a host device and wearable device can be without ending the verified session, time limits on verified sessions, and so on, limiting the establishment of a verified session to instances where the wearable device already has an assigned user ID (which can be required to be assigned through a separate process such as direct user input into the wearable device or a synchronization operation with a trusted host or the like), and so on.

Certain embodiments of the present invention relate to wearable devices that, in cooperation with a mobile host device (e.g., a mobile phone, smart phone, tablet computer, or the like), can provide location-specific information to a user. For example, a host device can maintain a store of location-specific information records (also referred to herein as “location cards”). Each location-specific information record can include information that may be relevant to the user when the user is at a specific location. The information can include, e.g., a reminder to do a specific task (such as buying milk), a special offer redeemable at a particular location (such as a coupon), account information for a customer loyalty program associated with a particular merchant, account information related to a stored-value card that is usable at a particular location, an admission ticket or pass to an event (such as a movie ticket, airline boarding pass, concert ticket, etc.), and so on. A location-specific information record can associate the information with a location or set of locations at which the information is deemed relevant.

The host device can have environmental sensors that are operable to detect when a user is in a location to which one of the records is relevant (also referring to as a “relevant location”). For example, a location card can identify a location using a global coordinate system (e.g., latitude and longitude, or a range of latitudes and longitudes), and the host device can have a Global Positioning System (“GPS”) receiver capable of determining current coordinates of the host device. The host device can compare its current coordinates to the coordinates provided in a location card to detect a match. As another example, some merchants provide in-store wireless communication services (e.g., a Wi-Fi network) to their customers, and a location card can identify a location by reference to the merchant's wireless communication service. The host device can detect available communication services and compare the services to services associated with location cards to detect a match. Other techniques and sensors can also be used to detect a match.

When the host device detects that its current location corresponds to a relevant location for a location card, the host device can send the card (or a portion of the information contained in the card) to a wearable device that is currently paired with the host device (e.g., in a verified session). The wearable device can alert the user that the card is available and can present the information contained in the card. For example, if the information includes a reminder, the wearable device can present the text of the reminder to the user (e.g., by displaying or speaking the text). As another example, if the information includes an account number (e.g., for a loyalty account or stored-value account) or other identification number (e.g., a serial number on a ticket), the wearable device can present the identification number in a machine-readable format. Examples include displaying a one-dimensional or two-dimensional bar code, QR (quick response) code, or other code that represents the number and allows the number to be read by an optical scanner system; transmitting a representation of the number using near-field communication or other wireless communication channels to a suitably equipped terminal; and so on. Accordingly, the user can exploit location-specific information without having to interact directly with the host device (which can remain safely buried, e.g., in the user's pocket or bag).

FIG. 26 is a simplified block diagram of a host device 2600 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Host device 2600 can be, e.g., an implementation of host device 102 of FIG. 1. Host device 2600 can include a processing subsystem 2602, storage subsystem 2604, user interface 2606, RF interface 2608, network interface 2610, and GPS receiver 2612. Many of these components, including processing subsystem 2602, storage subsystem 2604, user interface 2606, and RF interface 2608, can be similar or identical in design and operation to components of wearable device 200 described above with reference to FIG. 2. For example, RF interface 2608 can include, e.g., a Bluetooth or similar interface that can be used to communicate with a wearable device such as wearable device 200 of FIG. 2.

Network interface 2610 can include wired and/or wireless interfaces to various data networks (including cellular data networks, Wi-Fi networks, Ethernet-connected networks, and the like). In some embodiments, the same hardware and/or software can be used to implement features of both network interface 2610 and RF interface 2608. Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver 2612 can include an antenna adapted to receive signals from orbiting GPS satellites, together with circuitry and/or software that can determine location coordinates (e.g., latitude and longitude) based on the received GPS satellite signals; conventional GPS receiver designs or other designs can be used.

Host device 2600 can also include other components (not shown), such as power controllers, power sources, connector interfaces, sensors, and so on. Further, while host device 2600 is described with reference to particular blocks, it is to be understood that these blocks are defined for convenience of description and are not intended to imply a particular physical arrangement of component parts. Further, the blocks need not correspond to physically distinct components. Blocks can be configured to perform various operations, e.g., by programming a processor or providing appropriate control circuitry, and various blocks might or might not be reconfigurable depending on how the initial configuration is obtained. Embodiments of the present invention can be realized in a variety of apparatus including electronic devices implemented using any combination of circuitry and software.

As shown in FIG. 26, storage subsystem 2604 can store program code and/or data for use by processing subsystem 2602. In some embodiments, the program code can include a location app 2614 that can manage a store of location information records (also referred to as “location cards”) 2616. Location app 2614 can, for example, create new location cards based on user input and/or data received (e.g., via network interface 2610), select relevant location cards from card store 2616 based on a current location of host device 2600, discard location cards that have expired or otherwise become non-useful, and so on.

A location card can include any data structure that provides information in association with an identifier of a location at which that information is most likely to be relevant to the user (referred to as a “relevant location” for the card). FIG. 27 illustrates examples of location cards according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, various location cards are arranged in a table 2700 with each location card corresponding to a different row 2701-2705; other data structures and arrangements can also be used.

As shown, each location card can include card content 2714 and various other data fields that can facilitate management of card data 2714. For example, a location field 2710 can be used to store an identifier of the relevant location for the card. Locations can be specified in any format that is usable by host device 2600 to determine whether it is at the specified location, and different location cards can use different formats. For example, a location can be specified as a set of GPS coordinates (e.g., corresponding to a particular store) or a range of GPS coordinates (e.g., corresponding to a larger area such as a park). As another example, a location can be specified by reference to a communication network that is expected to be detectable or accessible to host device 2600 when host device 2600 is present at that location. This can be useful, for instance, with a store (or chain of stores) that provides Wi-Fi service to customers in the store; host device 2600 can determine that it is at or near the store (or one of several stores in the case of a chain) if it can detect or join the Wi-Fi network associated with the store. In some instances, as with GPS coordinates, a range of locations can be specified, and host device 2600 can be considered to be at the location if it is anywhere within the range. It should be noted that the actual geographical area that is considered as being “at” a specified location can vary, e.g., from a few square meters in the case of a single set of GPS coordinates to a few square kilometers, e.g., if the specified location corresponds to a large park or other large facility such as a college campus.

Type field 2710 can be used to distinguish various types of location cards that can coexist in card store 2616. The type can be an indicator of possible actions a user might take in relation to a card, the manner of presenting the card's information, etc. For example, as shown in row 2701, a “reminder” card type can be assigned where card content 2714 provides an informational reminder to the user, such as a reminder to “Get milk.” As shown in row 2702, an “offer” card type can be assigned where card content 2714 provides a redeemable offer (e.g., a coupon, such as “50% off milk”) to the user.

Some location cards can maintain information about user accounts that can be accessed from a specific location such as a store or a chain of stores. For instance, as shown in row 2703, a “loyalty” type can be assigned where card content 2714 provides information about a user's account in a merchant's loyalty program (e.g., where the user's account can accumulate points based on purchase, with the points being redeemable for discounts or other rewards); location card content 2714 can include an identifier of the merchant and an account number to which purchases can be credited (e.g., by adding points) and against which rewards (e.g., discounts or point redemptions) can be claimed. As another example, as shown in row 2704, a “stored value” type can be assigned where location card 2714 provides information about a stored-value (debit) account maintained for the user that is usable at a particular location (e.g., a specific store or chain of stores); location card content 2714 can include a stored-value account number. As described below, in instances where location card data 2714 provides a user-account identifier, the account identifier can be made accessible when the user is in a location where the account can be accessed.

As shown in row 2705, another location card type can be a “pass” type, which can be assigned where card content 2714 provides information (e.g., a ticket number) that is usable to gain admission to an event. The event can be a one-time event, such as a concert or an airline flight. In some instances, the pass information can be reusable (e.g., a security pass for gaining entrance to the user's place of employment).

Card content 2714 can include various items of information that can be presented to a user or to a computer system while at the relevant location specified by location field 2710. The particular information items included in card content 2714 can depend on card type 2712. For example, in the case of a reminder, the card content can just contain user-readable text. In the case of an offer, the card content can include user-readable information describing the offer as well as machine-readable information such as a redemption code or coupon number that can be used to redeem the offer. In the case of a loyalty or stored-value account, the card content can include identifiers of the merchant and the user's account (e.g., an account number). In the case of a pass, the card content can include an identifier of the event and a ticket number or other entry code.

In general, card content 2714 can include any combination of user-readable and/or machine-readable information, and card content 2714 can be presented to the user and/or to another computer system. Communication-mode field 2716 can include various labels indicating a mode for communicating card content 2714. For example, a “human” communication mode can indicate that some or all of the card content should be presented in a form that is intelligible to humans (e.g., rendered as text or images on a display, spoken). An “optical” communication mode can indicate that some or all of the card content should be presented in a form that is readable by an automated optical scanning system such as a barcode scanner or QR code reader. This can include rendering an image of a barcode, QR code or other machine-readable visual code on a display. An “nfc” communication mode can indicate that some or all of the card content should be presented via near-field communication with a compatible terminal. Examples of different techniques for presenting information in different communication modes are described below.

In some instances, a location card may be of interest only within a certain window of time. For example, a coupon that has expired may cease to be of interest to a user, and a concert ticket may only be of interest on the date of the concert. Accordingly, a location card can include time limits on its relevance; expiration date field 2718 is shown as an example. In some embodiments, a location card can also have a start date. Expiration dates and/or start dates can be used to determine which location cards are relevant at any given time and place, and/or to purge location cards that have ceased to be relevant (e.g., cards with expiration dates in the past) from location card store 2616.

It will be appreciated that the location card data structure of FIG. 27 is illustrative and that other data structures can be substituted, including structures having more fields, fewer fields, or different fields from these shown. Location card types, communication modes and other parameters are also illustrative, and other parameter values can be used.

In operation, host device 2600 can execute location app 2614, e.g., as a background process. Location app 2614 can manage the creation of location cards, e.g., based on user input. For example, a user can create a reminder and specify a location where that reminder is relevant using location app 2614 or another app that can communicate with location app 2614. Location app 2614 can create a corresponding location card and add it to card store 2616. As another example, a user can receive a concert ticket via email or can download the ticket from the concert promoter's website, and the user's web browser or email client can communicate with location app 2614 to direct the creation of a location card to store ticket information. A user can participate in the process of creating location cards, e.g., by providing or verifying details associated with the ticket (such as event name, time, and location). A variety of mechanisms and processes can be used to populate location card store 2616 with location cards; those skilled in the art will recognize that presentation of location-card information (e.g., as described below) can be independent of any particular process for creating location cards.

Location app 2614 can also manage the presentation of card content. For example, location app 2614 can determine the current location of the host device and select one or more relevant location cards from location card store 2616, e.g., based on location and time properties assigned to various cards. In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, location app 2614 can deliver the selected cards to a paired wearable device, and the wearable device can present card content as appropriate. Such presentation can happen automatically or in response to user input; examples are described below.

FIG. 28 is a flow diagram of a process 2800 for providing location-specific information records (location cards) to a wearable device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Process 2800 can be implemented as program code executing on a processor of a host device, e.g., as part of location app 2614 described above.

At block 2802, host device 2600 can detect its current location. For example, current location can be detected using GPS receiver 2612. As another example, host device 2600 can operate a wireless network interface 2610 to detect the presence of one or more existing wireless networks and can infer its current location based on which wireless networks are present.

At block 2804, host device 2600 can compare the detected location to relevant-location identifiers associated with various location cards in card store 2604 to identify any matching location cards. Where a location card includes time limits, host device 2600 can also apply the time limits and disregard any location cards that are not yet of interest (e.g., before the start time) or that have expired. Thus, the match can be based on temporal as well as spatial location criteria. At block 2806, host device 2600 can select one or more location cards that match the current location as cards to be presented. If no location cards match, process 2800 can wait until a new location is detected. For example, process 2800 can wait in an inactive state for some period of time and check the location again, or process 2800 can wait for a signal indicating that the location of host device 2600 has changed.

If the location matches one or more location cards, then at block 2806, host device 2600 can determine whether a wearable device is currently paired with host device 2600. In some embodiments, if host device 2600 does not currently have a communication session (verified or unverified) established with a wearable device, host device 2600 can listen for signals from a wearable device that it recognizes from previous pairings and attempt to establish a session if a recognized wearable device is found. If a wearable device is not present, or if a session cannot be established, then a block 2810, host device 2600 can present card content via its user interface 2606.

If a wearable device (e.g., wearable device 100 of FIG. 1) is paired, then at block 2812, host device 2600 can confirm that wearable device 100 is assigned to the same user to whom the location cards pertain. Wearable device 100 can be assigned a user ID in advance of executing process 2800, e.g., as described above, and at block 2812, host device 2600 can request that wearable device 100 transmit is assigned user ID. Wearable device 100 can respond to the request by transmitting the assigned user ID (or a null response indicating that no user ID is currently assigned).

At block 2814, host device 2600 can determine whether the assigned user ID of wearable device 100 matches a user ID associated with the location card(s) to be presented. For example, host device 2600 can be a personal device, such as a mobile phone, that has an established user ID, and this user ID can be compared to the wearable device's user ID. As another example, location app 2614 may operate on an account-based model, selecting and creating cards for a specific user ID that is signed in to the app, and at block 2812, host device 2600 can compare the user ID signed into location app 2614 to the user ID received from wearable device 100. If the user ID does not match, then at block 2810, host device 2600 can present the location-card information via its user interface 2606.

If the user ID matches at block 2814, then at block 2816, host device 2600 can send the location card to wearable device 100. The information sent can include all (or just a subset) of card content 2714 for the selected card(s); other information, such as type field 2712 and/or communication mode 2716, can also be sent. Thus the entire location card or any subset of data contained therein can be sent. Wearable device 100 can present card content via its interfaces; examples are described below.

At block 2816, host device 2600 can determine whether its location has changed and in particular whether it has left the relevant location for the card that was sent to wearable device 100. (A host device can leave a location in a geographic sense, e.g., if the user carrying the host device walks or drives away, and/or in a temporal sense, e.g., if the card expires.) In response to determining that it has left the relevant location, host device 2600 can notify wearable device 100 of the location change and can indicate that some or all of the card content is now no longer relevant. At block 2820, host device 2600 can also discontinue presenting any card content that was being presented on the host device interface.

A wearable device paired with a host device can receive and present location-card content. FIG. 29 is a flow diagram of a process 2900 that can be implemented in a wearable device (e.g., wearable device 100 of FIG. 1, wearable device 200 of FIG. 2) according to an embodiment of the present invention. Process 2900 can be implemented as program code executing on a processor of a wearable device, e.g., as part of card hander 264 described above.

Process 2900 can begin at block 2902, where wearable device 100 can receive a location card from a host device (e.g., host device 2600). As described above, the host device can use process 2800 or a similar process to determine when and whether to send a particular location card to wearable device 100. At block 2904, wearable device 100 can present an alert to the user to inform the user that a location card has been received. For example, wearable device 100 can play a sound and/or display a visual alert. The alert can indicate that location-specific content is available, and in some instances, the alert can also include particulars about the content (e.g., alerting the user that she has a coupon redeemable at the location). At block 2906, wearable device 100 can receive user input indicating whether more content should be presented. For example, the alert interface can include controls operable by the user to dismiss the alert or to show further content.

At block 2908, wearable device 100 can determine whether card content should be presented. In some instances, the determination can be based on user input received at block 2906; for instance, the user may indicate that more content should be presented. In some instances, the determination can be based on other factors. For instance, as described above, some location cards may provide content (e.g., account identifiers or other identifiers) that can be communicated to a near-field communication (“NFC”) terminal, and wearable device 100 can determine that the content should be presented based on detecting an NFC terminal in proximity.

If wearable device 100 determines that card content should be presented, then at block 2910, wearable device 100 can present the content. In some embodiments, the manner of presentation can be determined based on communication mode field 2716 for the received location card; examples are described below. Presentation of card content can continue until, at block 2912, wearable device 100 determines that it has left the relevant location for the card. For example, wearable device 100 can receive a location-change notification from the host device as described above with reference to block 2818 of FIG. 28. After leaving the relevant location, wearable device 100 can discontinue presenting card content at block 2914. In some embodiments, wearable device 100 can also delete the location card from its local storage once it has left the relevant location. (If wearable device 100 subsequently returns to the relevant location, the host device can detect this and re-send the location card.)

It will be appreciated that processes 2800 and 2900 are illustrative and that variations and modifications are possible. Steps described as sequential may be executed in parallel, order of steps may be varied, and steps may be modified, combined, added or omitted. For instance, in some embodiments, location card content can be presented on interfaces of both the host device and the wearable device; each device can present a different subset of the content, or duplicative content can be presented on both devices, allowing the user to access the content using whichever device she finds most convenient at any given time.

In some embodiments, other verifications can also be implemented in addition to or instead of user ID matching. For example, host device 2600 can determine whether a verified session is in progress with wearable device 100 (e.g., based on proximity constraints and/or a valid session key as described above) and can make communication of location-card content conditional upon confirming that a verified session is in progress. For example, content can be communicated or encrypted from using the session key as described above. In other embodiments, the fact that a user has defined a pairing between a particular host device and a particular wearable device can provide a sufficient degree of trust to allow the host device to provide location-card content to the wearable device, and further verifications (e.g., a user ID matching and/or verified session confirmation) can be omitted.

It is to be understood that multiple location cards can have the same relevant location (or relevant locations that overlap) and that any or all location cards for which the current location matches the relevant location can be presented by a host device and/or a wearable device. For instance, where content from multiple cards is simultaneously available, a user may be able to use tactile gestures such as tapping or swiping on a touch screen to view and interact with content from different cards. In some embodiments, a wearable device can determine which content to present to another device (e.g., an NFC terminal) based on communications from the terminal. For instance, the terminal might first request loyalty account information, then stored-value account information.

As noted above, location-card content can be presented based on a communication mode associated with a location card (or with a particular content item within the card). FIG. 30 is a flow diagram of a process 3000 that can be implemented in a wearable device, e.g., wearable device 100 (or wearable device 200), to present content from a location card according to an embodiment of the present invention. Process 3000 can be implemented, e.g., in connection with block 2910 of process 2900 described above.

Process 3000 can begin when wearable device 100 is in receipt of a location card, which can be obtained, e.g., as described above. At block 3002, wearable device 100 can read a communication mode indicator from the location card (e.g., communication mode field 2716 in FIG. 27).

At block 3004, if the communication mode includes a “human” mode, this can indicate that some or all of the card content should be presented to a person (who can be the user of wearable device 100 and/or some other person or persons). Accordingly, at block 3006, wearable device 100 can generate a human-intelligible representation of the location-card content. A human-intelligible representation can include any sensory element that is perceptible to and capable of conveying meaning to a human being. One example is a display containing text and/or images that a person can see. Another example is an audio output, such as spoken words or a distinctive musical sound that a person can recognize (e.g., a snippet of a famous commercial jingle). Haptic outputs can also be used. For example, if the location-card content includes a reminder such as “get milk,” displaying of a text output saying “get milk” can be accompanied by pulsing or vibration of wearable device 100 to attract the user's attention.

At block 3008, if the communication mode includes an “optical” mode, this can indicate that some or all of the card content should be presented in a form that can be read by an optical scanner (a machine in this instance) such as a barcode scanner, QR code reader, or the like. Accordingly, at block 3010, wearable device 100 can display a representation of the content in a machine-readable code such as a barcode, QR code or the like. In some instances, the location-based card can include indications of specific optical code formats to be used.

At block 3012, if the communication mode includes an “nfc” mode, this can indicate that some or all of the card content should be presented as a transmission to an NFC terminal. Accordingly, at block 3014, wearable device 100 can attempt to establish communication with an NFC terminal. This can include, e.g., activating NFC receiver circuitry and listening for transmissions and/or sending out a signal that can be detected and responded to by a nearby NFC terminal. In some embodiments, process 3000 can wait at block 3014 until communication is established. At block 3016, once communication is established, wearable device 100 can transmit the location-card content to the NFC terminal.

At block 3018, wearable device 100 can also present location-card information in other modes. For example, wearable device 100 can produce a sequence of tones, flashing lights, color patterns, or other sequences of outputs that can be interpreted by a computer. Wearable device 100 can present information by sending RF signals to other devices using various communication standards. Any mode or combination of modes of presenting content can be provided.

It is to be understood that the same content can be presented in multiple modes, different elements of content from the same location card can be presented in different modes, and presentations in different modes can occur concurrently or sequentially as desired.

Presentation of location-card content is further illustrated in FIGS. 31-35, which show interface screens presenting location-card content according to various embodiments of the present invention. The interface screens shown can be presented, e.g., by wearable device 100 in the course of executing process 3000.

FIG. 31 shows an interface screen 3100 presenting a location-specific reminder that can correspond to a location card such as row 2701 of table 2700 of FIG. 27. In this example, the reminder pertains to purchasing an item (milk). The relevant location can be defined, e.g., as being within some distance (such as a city block, 300 meters, or the like) of a grocery store at which the user routinely shops. When host device 2600 detects that wearable device is at the relevant location, host device 2600 can send the location card to wearable device 100. In response to receiving the location card, wearable device 100 can display reminder text (content) 3102 and generate a sound or vibration to attract the user's attention to displayed reminder text 3102.

Screen 3100 can also present the user with options responsive to the reminder. In this example, screen 3100 can provide virtual buttons to dismiss the reminder (button 3104) or to clear the reminder (button 3106). Dismissing the reminder can, for example, can cause screen 3100 to cease to be displayed without affecting the reminder content, while clearing the reminder can cause wearable device 100 to send a message to host device 2600 indicating that the location card for the reminder should be deleted. The user can choose to dismiss the reminder, e.g., if she does not presently have time to stop at the store, or clear the reminder, e.g., if she has already bought milk. Similar interface screens can be used to present other reminders. Each reminder can be a separate location card with a different relevant location; consequently, at any given time, the user can see reminders that are relevant to her present location without also being barraged with other, less relevant reminders.

FIG. 32 shows an interface screen 3200 presenting a location-specific offer (in this case a coupon) that can correspond to a location card such as row 2702 of FIG. 27. In this example, the offer is for a discount on an item offered for sale. If the discount is offered by a particular store, the relevant location can be defined, e.g., as being near (e.g., within 10 meters of) or in the store in question; if the discount is offered by a producer of a widely distributed product, the relevant location can be defined, e.g., based on being in or near a store where the user normally shops. When host device 2600 detects that wearable device 100 is at the relevant location, host device 2600 can send the location card to wearable device 100. In response to receiving the location card, wearable device 100 can display text 3202 indicating the nature of the offer to the user; in some embodiments, wearable device 100 can also generate a sound or vibration to attract the user's attention to text 3202.

Screen 3200 can also present the user with options relevant to the reminder. In this example, screen 3200 can provide virtual buttons to use the discount coupon (button 3204) or to dismiss the coupon (button 3206). As with button 3106 described above, dismissing a coupon can cause screen 3200 to cease to be displayed while the coupon remains available for future presentation. If the user instead chooses to use the coupon, e.g., by selecting button 3204, wearable device 100 can transition from displaying screen 3200 to displaying screen 3300 of FIG. 33. Screen 3300 can present a text identifier of the coupon 3302 as well as a computer-readable code 3304 (in this case a barcode) that can be read by an optical reader (such as a barcode scanner in a grocery store). The user can redeem the coupon, e.g., by presenting screen 3300 to a barcode scanner or similar device at a checkout terminal of the store.

FIG. 34 shows an interface screen 3400 presenting location-specific loyalty card content that can correspond to a location card such as row 2703 of table 2700 of FIG. 27. In this example, the loyalty card can be associated with a grocery store, and the relevant location can be defined, e.g., as being near (e.g., within 10 meters of) or in the store in question (or one of multiple outlets in the case of a chain of stores). In some instances, the location can be defined more narrowly, e.g., as being near the store's checkout stands or other point-of-sale terminal(s). When host device 2600 detects that wearable device 100 is at the relevant location, host device 2600 can send the location card to wearable device 100. In response to receiving the location card, wearable device 100 can display informational notice 3402; in some embodiments, wearable device 100 can also generate a sound or vibration to attract the user's attention to notice 3402. In this example, the card content (e.g., the user's stored value account number) can be read by an NFC card reader, and informational notice 3402 can provide instructions on how to present the loyalty card (in this case by “tagging” wearable device 100 at a reader at a checkout stand). In this example, if the user operates “dismiss” button 3404, screen 3400 can cease to be displayed.

In some embodiments, the user can access the loyalty account using wearable device 100 regardless of whether screen 3400 continues to be displayed. As noted above, wearable device 100 can retain location-card content for at least as long as the user remains in the relevant location; accordingly, wearable device 100 can retain the information needed to present the loyalty account identifier to an NFC terminal regardless of whether screen 3400 continues to be displayed. For example, even after screen 3400 is dismissed, wearable device 100 can continue to periodically attempt to detect the presence of an NFC terminal for as long as the user remains in the relevant location, and wearable device 100 can transmit the loyalty-account identifier (with or without a specific prompt from the NFC terminal) whenever the presence of a NFC terminal is detected. Since NFC signals have very short range, it is relatively unlikely that wearable device 100 would send an information to an incidentally-encountered terminal. In some embodiments, wearable device 100 can send the information via NFC signaling only when screen 3400 is displayed; where this is the case, wearable device 100 can provide a control that the user can operate to cause screen 3400 to be displayed again at any time as long as the user remains in the relevant location. Presentation of card content for other types of location cards that include NFC-readable data can be managed similarly.

FIG. 35 shows an interface screen 3500 presenting location-specific ticket content that can correspond to a location card such as row 2705 of table 2700 of FIG. 27. In this example, the ticket is a boarding pass for an airline flight. The relevant location can be defined, e.g., as corresponding to the airport from which the flight is scheduled for departure. Time constraints, such as whether the current date is the date of the flight, can also be applied. When host device 2600 detects that wearable device 100 is at the relevant location, host device 2600 can send the location card to wearable device 100. In response to receiving the location card, wearable device 100 can display screen 3500, which can provide flight information 3502 in a user-readable form as well as a machine-readable coded representation 3504 (e.g., a two-dimensional barcode) of boarding pass content. Representation 3504 can be in any format that can be read, e.g., by code scanners operated by airport security personnel and/or airline employees to verify that the user is authorized to board the flight. In some embodiments, screen 3500 can be displayed automatically when wearable device 100 enters the departure airport on the date of the flight. In some embodiments, a user operating wearable device 100 can instruct wearable device 100 to display screen 3500, e.g., as the user approaches a checkpoint that requires presentation of a boarding pass.

Other interfaces can also be provided. For example, FIG. 36 shows an interface screen 3600 for accessing location-specific information according to an embodiment of the present invention. In some embodiments, a user can instruct wearable device 100 to display screen 3600, e.g., by making a system-specified tactile or spatial gesture or by selecting an option from a main menu of a user interface of wearable device 100. Screen 3600 can display a representation of all location cards that are currently available on wearable device 100; in this example, a boarding pass (icon 3602) and a coffee-shop loyalty card (icon 3604) are currently available.

In the example shown in FIG. 36, the user can be at a coffee shop in an airport. In accordance with process 2900 described above (or similar processes), host device 2600 can determine that the user is at the airport, e.g., based on received GPS signals, and can determine that the user is at or near the coffee shop, e.g., based on the presence of a Wi-Fi network associated with the coffee shop. Host device 2600 can further determine that two location cards are currently relevant: a location card that provides the user's boarding pass information (because the user is at the airport on the date of the flight) and a location card that provides the user's loyalty card information for the coffee shop (because the user is at or near the coffee shop). Host device 2600 can send both location cards to wearable device 100.

Wearable device 100 can present the card content for either or both cards as described above. For example, wearable device 100 can present screen 3600, which can include a list item, icon, or other compact representation of each available location card. As described above, with assistance from host device 2600, wearable device 100 can manage location cards such that a given card is available while the user is in a location relevant to that card and unavailable when the user is not in a relevant location. Accordingly, screen 3600 can, display only location cards that are currently considered relevant. The user can select icon 3602 to access the boarding pass; in response, wearable device 100 can display screen 3500 of FIG. 35 or a similar screen. From screen 3600, the user can select icon 3604 to access the coffee-shop loyalty card; in response, wearable device 100 can display a suitable screen. For instance, if the coffee shop has an NFC terminal capable of accepting loyalty card information, wearable device 100 can display a screen similar to screen 3400 of FIG. 34, or if the coffee shop has a barcode scanner capable of reading loyalty card information, wearable device 100 can display a screen similar to screen 3300 of FIG. 33. In some embodiments, after having selected a location card to present, and after having viewed (or used) the selected card's content, the user can navigate back to screen 3600, e.g., by operating a “back” button (not shown) or by making a touch gesture, such as swiping left-to-right, swiping top-to-bottom or the like. In some embodiments, a user can also use touch gestures to switch from one available location card to another without going back to screen 3600. For example, from screen 3500 of FIG. 35, a sideways (right-to-left or left-to-right) swiping gesture can move to another location card while a vertical (top-to-bottom or bottom-to-top) swiping gesture can return to screen 3600.

It will be appreciated that the interface screens of FIGS. 31-36 are illustrative and that variations and modifications are possible. In some embodiments, location card identifiers and/or content can be overlaid on other screens; for instance, an icon indicating that a card or pass is available, or the text of a reminder, can appear as a pop-up over any other interface screen that happens to be displayed at the time. User controls can be provided using virtual buttons as shown and/or other types of real or virtual control devices. Further, on-screen graphical control elements are not required. In some embodiments, a user can provide input using touch gestures, spatial gestures, and/or voice inputs as controls.

Some embodiments may also allow a user of the wearable device to provide feedback pertaining to a location card to the paired host device. For example, as described above, the user can select an option to clear a reminder. In response, the wearable device can send a message to the paired host device identifying the reminder card and indicating that the user chose to clear the card. The host device can delete the card from the card store so that it is not presented to the user again. In a similar manner, the user can clear cards that are no longer of interest, such as offers the user does not intend to redeem.

Embodiments described above can make a variety of location-related information records available to a user on a wearable device. Location-specific information records (location cards) can be provided to the wearable device from a paired host device when the host device detects that it is in a location where a particular record is relevant. In one scenario, a host device can be a mobile phone or tablet computer that the user is likely to carry on her person but not necessarily in a readily accessible location; for example, the host device can be in the user's pocket or in a bag such as a purse, briefcase, backpack, or the like. The wearable device can be worn in a readily accessible location (e.g., on the user's wrist), and presenting location-specific information (e.g., location card content) on the wearable device in addition to or instead of on the host device can make it easier for the user to access the information and/or to present the information to third parties.

The wearable device can present location-specific information with or without user intervention as desired. For example, upon receipt of location-specific information, the wearable device can automatically begin to display the information, e.g., in place of previously displayed information or as an overlay over other information. The initially displayed information can include all of or a subset of the location-specific information content of a particular location card. For instance, the initial display can simply indicate that a particular card is available (as in FIG. 36). Or, the initial display can present card content (as in FIG. 35). Different rules can be applied to presenting different types of content; for instance, a reminder can simply appear while more sensitive content may be presented only in response to direct user input.

As described above, the host device can access a store of location cards, which can include any number of individual location-specific information records, each with its own characteristics. In some embodiments, location cards can be stored on the host device and transmitted to the wearable device depending on the current location of the host device. To the extent that the host device and wearable device communicate using short-range technologies (such as Bluetooth), the location of the host device can be an effective proxy for the location of a paired wearable device (and therefore of the user, assuming that the wearable device is being worn).

Storage of location cards on the host device is not required. For example, the user can maintain various personal information, including location-specific information items, using a cloud-based information management service. In some embodiments, the host device can communicate with the cloud-based information management service to obtain some or all of the location card data. For example, the host device can store a list of relevant locations and identifiers of records associated with various locations on the list, while the complete content of the record can be stored in the cloud. Upon detecting entry into a location of interest (e.g., a location on the list of relevant locations), the host device can send any identifiers associated with that location to the cloud-based service and request the complete records, which it can forward to the wearable device.

In some embodiments, a host device can provide options for the user to specify preferences and settings related to presentation of location-specific information records. For example, the user can specify particular records or types of records that should or should not be sent to the user's wearable device.

While the invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments, one skilled in the art will recognize that numerous modifications are possible and that components, operations, and/or other features that may be described with respect to different embodiments can be incorporated into the same embodiment. Wearable devices can interact with host devices to facilitate a variety of operations with increased convenience to the user.

All user interfaces shown herein are also illustrative. Sizes of user interfaces or graphical elements thereof can be modified according to a particular desired form factor of a wearable device and/or host device. Icons can be used in addition to or instead of text to identify associated functions, and the number and arrangement of controls can be varied to facilitate user operation. In some embodiments, the user may be able to scroll the display, e.g., by dragging one or two fingers along the surface of a touchscreen display to see more options than can be presented at once. Further, while the foregoing description may refer to graphical user interfaces, other interfaces can also be used. For example, an audio input interface can be provided by allowing the user to speak into a microphone of a wearable device; the wearable device can interpret the audio signal locally to determine a corresponding instruction or send the audio to a host device for interpretation. Similarly, an audio output interface can be provided by using a speaker on the wearable device to produce sounds. The sounds can include tones (beeps, whirrs, etc.) and/or speech sounds; for example, synthesized speech can be generated on a host device and transmitted to the wearable device as a digital audio signal, or the wearable device can include its own speech synthesizer. In some embodiments where a wearable device is worn on the user's hand, wrist, or arm, user input can include spatial gestures with the hand, wrist, and/or arm that are detected using motion sensors of the wearable device in addition to or instead of touch gestures involving contact with a touch-sensitive surface of the wearable device. Different gestures can be assigned different meanings, and the meaning of a gesture can be context-dependent, e.g., depending on what operations of the host device and/or wearable device are currently in progress. Thus, the same gesture can, in different contexts, indicate hanging up a call or stopping playback of a media track. Touch gestures and spatial gestures can be used in various combinations as desired.

The foregoing description may make reference to specific examples of a wearable device (e.g., a wrist-worn device) and/or a host device (e.g., a smart phone). It is to be understood that these examples are illustrative and not limiting; other devices can be substituted and can implement similar functional blocks and/or algorithms to perform operations described herein and/or other operations.

Embodiments of the present invention, e.g., in methods, apparatus, computer-readable media and the like, can be realized using any combination of dedicated components and/or programmable processors and/or other programmable devices. The various processes described herein can be implemented on the same processor or different processors in any combination. Where components are described as being configured to perform certain operations, such configuration can be accomplished, e.g., by designing electronic circuits to perform the operation, by programming programmable electronic circuits (such as microprocessors) to perform the operation, or any combination thereof. Further, while the embodiments described above may make reference to specific hardware and software components, those skilled in the art will appreciate that different combinations of hardware and/or software components may also be used and that particular operations described as being implemented in hardware might also be implemented in software or vice versa.

Computer programs incorporating various features of the present invention may be encoded and stored on various computer readable storage media; suitable media include magnetic disk or tape, optical storage media such as compact disk (CD) or DVD (digital versatile disk), flash memory, and other non-transitory media. Computer readable media encoded with the program code may be packaged with a compatible electronic device, or the program code may be provided separately from electronic devices (e.g., via Internet download or as a separately packaged computer-readable storage medium).

Thus, although the invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments, it will be appreciated that the invention is intended to cover all modifications and equivalents within the scope of the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: receiving, by a wearable device, information content for a location-specific information record from a mobile host device, the location-specific information record being associated with a relevant location of the mobile host device; determining, by the wearable device, whether to provide at least a portion of the information content; detecting, by the wearable device, one or more communication modes for providing the information content; determining, by the wearable device, a communication mode of the one or more communication modes based at least in part on a third device detected to be proximate to the wearable device; and providing, by the wearable device, at least the portion of the information content via an interface of the wearable device according to the determined communication mode.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the communication mode is determined further based at least in part on user input.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the third device comprises a near-field communication (NFC) terminal.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the determined communication mode instructs the wearable device to provide at least the portion of the information content by transmitting an NFC signal representing at least the portion of the information content to the NFC terminal.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the determined communication mode instructs the wearable device to present a user-readable representation of at least the portion of the information content on the interface of the wearable device.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the interface comprises a display.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the determined communication mode instructs the wearable device to present a machine-readable representation of at least the portion of the information content on the interface of the wearable device.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the location-specific information record is received in response to the mobile host device detecting that a current location of the mobile host device matches the relevant location.
 9. A wearable device, comprising: a non-transitory memory configured to store computer-executable instructions; and a processor in communication with the non-transitory memory configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to at least: receive information content for a location-specific information record from a host device, the location-specific information record being associated with a relevant location of the host device; identify one or more communication modes for communicating the information content; determine a communication mode of the one or more communication modes based at least in part on a third device detected to be proximate to the wearable device, the one or more communication modes for providing at least a portion of the information content; and provide at least the portion of the information content via an interface of the wearable device according to the determined communication mode.
 10. The wearable device of claim 9, further comprising instructions to generate an alert indicating that the information content has been received.
 11. The wearable device of claim 10, further comprising instructions to receive user input responsive to the alert, wherein the communication mode is further determined based at least in part on the user input.
 12. The wearable device of claim 9, wherein the determined communication mode comprises instructions for the wearable device to at least one of present a user-readable representation of at least a portion of the information content on a display of the wearable device, present a machine-readable representation of at least a portion of the information content on a display of the wearable device, or transmit a near-field communication (NFC) signal representing at least a portion of the information content to an NFC terminal.
 13. The wearable device of claim 9, wherein the information content includes at least one of: a user-readable reminder message; an offer redeemable at the relevant location; an identifier of a user account that is usable at the relevant location; or authorization information that, when presented at a checkpoint at the relevant location, authorizes a user to be admitted to an event at the relevant location.
 14. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a processor of a wearable device, configure the processor to perform operations comprising: receiving information content for a location-specific information record from a mobile host device, the location-specific information record being associated with a relevant location of the mobile host device; determining whether to provide at least a portion of the information content; determining a communication mode for providing at least the portion of the information content when it is determined to present at least the portion of the information content, the communication mode determined based at least in part on a third device detected to be proximate to the wearable device; and providing at least the portion of the information content via an interface of the wearable device according to the determined communication mode.
 15. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein the third device comprises a near-field communication (NFC) terminal.
 16. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the determined communication mode instructs the wearable device to transmit an NFC signal representing at least the portion of the information content to the NFC terminal.
 17. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein the determined communication mode instructs the wearable device to at least one of present a user-readable representation of at least the portion of the information content on the interface of the wearable device or present a machine-readable representation of at least the portion of the information content on the interface of the wearable device.
 18. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the communication mode is determined to instruct presentation of the machine-readable representation based at least in part on a user input at the interface of the wearable device.
 19. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein the location-specific information record includes a time window, and wherein the portion of the information content is only provided if a current time at the host device is within the time window. 